(Psalm 46:1-3) “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.”
There is no doubt humanly speaking that there is a kind of insanity that is gripping the nations of the world and their leaders. People are fainting from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world. Nations are now in anguish and perplexity. They are being tossed about like a ship without a rudder or compass on a wild story sea. Everyone is pre-occupied with the COVID-19 situation which is being blown way out of all proportion by the mainstream media fettered by the rich and the powerful that have their own agenda for a global reset.
Then you have China and Russia forming an axis of combined political power with combined interests in the Arctic, north of America. Russia has missile silos already in place in the Arctic. Now they have in their possession a very powerful EMP device which can take out electric grids and computer chips. Biden has re-established an agreement with China to give that countries communist leaders access to America’s electricity grid. Biden has also instituted an open migration policy of sorts and wants to re-establish the Uranium nuclear deal. Iran has upped the ante on its megalomaniacal agenda to go nuclear; something which the Israelis believe is not that far down the track. The ‘Israel bashing’ continues yet again with the I.C.C. (International criminal Court) ruling it has jurisdiction to examine possible war crimes by Israel.
Islam is invading Europe by the bucket loads through immigration. There is no doubt we see freedom and democracy and the Judaeo-Christian heritage in the western democracies being eroded with ever increasing frequency as laws are being passed to restrict Bible believers who believe that men should be governed by God and the Word of God. We also see wider Christendom departing from the authority of God’s Word. We see lawlessness increasing at a rapid rate never before equalled in past history especially as the god of this world pollutes the imaginations of millions upon millions through the internet.
Starvation, riots, ethnic tensions, famines, scarcity and displaced people are increasing at a rapid pace. Islam is spreading its tentacles of power throughout most of the nations of the world with Russia and China and North Korea besotted with expansionism. The persecution of faithful believers in the Lord Jesus worldwide is numbered in the millions. Israel is under increasing pressure as we see elections looming on the horizon and Prime Minster Netanyahu possibly not winning the next election. No nation in the world today is really safe from affliction, adversity or from the direct threat of nuclear warfare. The faithful Body of the Messiah is scattered.
You have the denominational system still functioning but by and large departing from the final authority of God’s Word in matters related to Biblical faith, Christian living and doctrines. Europe and Great Britain is under threat by Islam. America is under threat from Russia and China and possibly Iran if they get nuclear capability that can see nuclear warheads on missiles that are capable of reaching American shores. Australia and the Pacific Island nations are under threat from China as it expands its militaristic and economic agenda in the South Pacific.
There is no doubt that the man of lawlessness is alive on earth and ‘waiting in the wings’ as it were to enter centre stage on the world scene once he is empowered by Satan to carry out his diabolical work. Now in all of these tumultuous events swirling around us like a tornado the Lord reminds us through the psalm of the Sons of Korah that He as the God of the universe still has everything under control and is watching over His faithful saints and the nation of Israel.
Firstly, we are told that God is our refuge. The word refuge speaks of a shelter from the rain or the storm and from danger and from falsehood. It also contains the idea of hope and trust. So we are told that the Lord will watch over us as his blood washed, blood brought, Spirit filled saints and that even in times of extreme trial, tests, affliction and even persecution He will watch over us and hide us under His wings and care for us as a mother cares for its newborn chicks. (Psalm 91:4)
Secondly, we are told that God is our strength. The word describes might, material or physical strength including our personal social or even political strength. It also has the idea of power, might, and boldness. In other words God is a fortress against spiritual attack and will, when needed, give us all the spiritual and physical resources we will ever need in this life to successfully complete His will for our lives which we are told is good, acceptable and perfect for those who lovingly submit to Him without reservation. (Romans 12:1-2) As the late Derek prince used to say we are as strong as the will of God is strong!
Thirdly, we are told that God is a very present help in trouble in that He is not far away up in the heavens but also very much involved with every aspect of our lives down here on earth and knowing the future already has made provision for us in whatever lies ahead whether good or not so good. King David was a mighty man of God but his life was full of troubles, afflictions and difficult situations yet through all of these things He found the Lord to be faithful and merciful even after David had deliberately committed adultery and murder but found mercy, forgiveness and cleansing through heartfelt repentance.
If anyone could write about intense times of suffering and of deliverance David could. As he writes; “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry. But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth.” (Psalm 34:15-16) Evil men may prosper in every walk and level of society and even politically but they will be suddenly cut down and the memory of them banished forever.
And again David writes; “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God of our salvation. Selah Our God is a God of deliverance; the Lord GOD is our rescuer from death.” (Psalm 68: 19-20) David also writes; “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22) Every fear, every anxiety, every affliction and in every dangerous and even life-threatening situation David could say; “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.” (Psalm 34:1-9)
In acknowledging his spiritual poverty apart from the unmerited favour of God, David was acknowledging his total dependence upon the Lord for all of his spiritual and temporal needs including protection from his adversaries. The political leaders of the world may bring in their anti-Christian policies. The armies of the nations my threaten the very survival of the world with their nuclear armaments. The whole world may align itself against Israel and the Body of the Messiah, the faithful assembly of believers in our Lord Jesus, and many more ecological calamities and pestilence may ransack the earth, but in all of these things the Lord has the final word.
I well remember the movie Zulu when a handful of British troops were facing thousands of Zulus that there was a young soldier feeling very fearful at the oncoming Zulus with their wicked looking short stabbing spears flashing in the African sunlight. Standing resolutely by his side was a seasoned veteran of many wars, a Sergeant Major with a big moustache and firm jaw line who, with his rifle and bayonet facing the oncoming enemy horde, looked steadfastly at the young trooper and quoted part of Psalm 46; “He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire” Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.” (Psalm 46:8-11) In the end the bravery of this small detachment of British soldiers was honoured and revered by the Zulu chieftain who withdrew his Impis and let the soldiers go free.
After a long life tirelessly serving the Lord John Wesley said on his deathbed; “Best of all God is with us!” And so the words of the Sons of Korah still ring out loud and clear today. “Even though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea and its waters roar and foam and the mountains (kingdoms) quake at its swelling pride let us remember that “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear!”
