“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” (Psalm 46:1-3)
Have you ever seen the movie “2012”? If not – don’t worry, you haven’t missed much. Just your run-of-the-mill disaster movie complete with literal earth-splitting earthquakes, super volcano eruptions, global flooding and the state of California crumbling into the sea. Basically, the end of the world as we know it kind of stuff. But that’s what I think of when I read this passage in Psalm 46. I would actually encourage you to read the entire Psalm – because even if it’s not addressing actual end-of-the-world events, it is addressing crisis. And we all know a little bit about crisis. Though this psalm is speaking in catastrophic terms – in both nature and across nations – it does it for the sake of driving home the truth and source of our real security. Creation may be in an uproar. The nations may rage against one another. But this Psalmist is saying, almost defiantly, “I will not be afraid.” Why? Because he knows true confidence, and that confidence is the Lord. The Lord is our refuge – our defense; our salvation. He is unchanging and immovable, regardless of the state of the world around us. He is also “very present” – in other words, he is never far and is ready to be found. There is nothing to fear when this is our reality! So, let me ask some questions: Is the Lord your refuge? In times of crisis, do you seek him? Do you expect him to be near and present, ready to guard you and keep you steady? I want to be this person! I want to be the person that looks into the face of the uncertain and the unknown (and the potentially scary), and defiantly say “I am not afraid!” because I know who my refuge is. And he does not waver.
Lord, when I think about how truly big you are – of all that you are capable of – it’s overwhelming. Nothing is too big, or too small for you. Nothing causes you to fear or to waver. Nothing surprises you. And you offer us your shelter. You offer to be our refuge and guard. Thank that we can trust you – that you are immovable, and always consistent. Thank you that you are near to us – wherever we are – and are ready to be found in moments of crisis and desperation. Help us to continue to trust you; to come to you; and to keep near to you. Let our confidence be in you, so that when we face moments of uncertainty we can say “I will not be afraid!” because you are near, and our trust and hope is in you. We love you. Amen.