Psalms 46:1 - Ever present Help

The Covid19 has made us realizes that we even if we don't meet, we can still pray together using technology. When Jesus said "two or three", He did not say they must "be in one place". They can be anywhere but still be connected in oneness in prayer.

By the way we can still be in one place and our minds can wonder to the ends of the earth.

So today I led a group of intercessors in prayer at 6 am. Our devotion was on Psalms 46:1-3:
  • Verse 1 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

In the first three verses, the psalmist paints a landscape of chaos, by the familiar figures of a troubled earth, huge mountains sinking in the roaring and a wild ocean with thunderous dash deafening the ear and yeasty foam terrifying the eye, sweeping in triumphant insolence over all the fair earth. It is prosaic to insist on an allegorical meaning for the picture. It is rather a vivid sketch of utter confusion, dashed in with three or four bold strokes, an impossible case supposed in order to bring out the unshaken calm of those who have God for ark in such a deluge.

The psalmist depicts three scenarios where God comes to aid those whose confidence is in HIm.

First He is our refuge. The city of refuge is a place of protection for those who need shelter from the enemy. Divinely appointed and subject to Mosaic Law, these cities offered offenders refuge and protection from retribution of the avenging family until their case went to trial. This allegory tells us that in life when we face trials and tribulations, attacks from the enemy, we can always run to God who is our refugee. He protects us, He shields us, He covers us so that the enemy cannot put his finger on His people. What an assurance that God is my assurance so that "even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, or you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Deut 28:7 -The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

Second He is our strength.  There are instances when we need to fight the enemy or the unwarranted situation. The enemy may appear very insurmountable, but when God is my strength, no power can stand before me. Luke 10:19 -I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. David probably remembered his encounter with the giant Goliath and he defied the giant by saying in 1 Sam 17:45- "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." 

Thirdly He is ever present,    There can be times, I am simply tired and don't know what to do, The scriptures remind me that He is always by my side. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" There can come times in our lives when everything seems to collapse around us. Just like the description of verse 2-3. To the point we question if God really exists. The scripture assures that that God is always by my side. He may be silent but He is there. 

What an assurance that even when the whole world is overcome by Covid 19, it is still not the victor. The one who remains calm, who has God as his refugee and strength is the overcomer. 

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To God be the glory. 

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