Psalm 46:1-7
Fear is a powerful emotion. Because of fear, we react in ways we would normally avoid. Anger flares, we hide, we lie. When we are afraid, we generally believe we have two choices: we can face and conquer our fear, or we can run and hide from it.
Some incredible and encouraging statements have been made using analogies of fear: Forget Everything And Run, or Face Everything And Recover. We generally respect those who face their fears and accomplish great things in spite of them. We are silent (at best) and often critical of those who choose to run from or avoid thinking about their fears.
Fear is a powerful means of manipulation and control. Others use our fear to motivate us to do what they want us to do. We find ourselves in the midst of a battle before recognizing (if we see it at all) that the battle is falsely created. It didn’t have to happen.
The psalmist recognized that fear overpowered one’s ability to see clearly. When difficulties are happening around us, when nations are in an uproar (wow!), when kingdoms are tottering, our natural reaction is to fear. How can we fix what we cannot control? How can we make the right things happen when the wrong seems so strong?
“God is…a very present help in time of trouble. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Aren’t those nice words? When we are feeling good about life, we read this and think “Yes! God is with us.” But what happens when we are in the midst of earth shattering, kingdom tottering, national uproar? What happens when people are dying from lack of care, families are being separated, war is knocking at the door, and the life we have known is being threatened? Does it matter that God is with us? And God may be with me, but is He with those who are being harmed?
These words are more than nice words. These words speak truth. God is our refuge and our strength. God is a very present help in time of trouble. We don’t have to react in fear but can recognize that God is. God knows. God loves.
God is with me, but is He with others? Yes! Because YOU are with others and the Spirit of God lives in YOU. When you walk with others, you bring the Presence of God to them. You cannot fix them. You cannot fix the situation. But your presence brings God’s Presence. The peace of God at work within you brings His peace to those with whom you walk. Living the reality of God in us, God present in us, brings peace that conquers fear in us, around us, and through us.
“God is…a very present help in time of trouble. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.”