Several weeks ago my pastor/husband asked the church to read Psalm 46 every day until the next Sunday. It always amazes me how the Lord reveals a new word to my heart even if I’m just reading the same passage over and over. I wanted to share a small piece with you.
GOD IS OUR REFUGE
The entire chapter is beautiful, but verse one grabbed me right away. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” That one sentence says so much. First of all, God is a Refuge—a place of safety, rest, where I go to be replenished of what has been drained. He is also my Strength—my ability to keep going, to stand, to hold on, to build me up for the fight. We need Him as both to make it through each and every day…whether a boring, no drama day at home/office or if you’re in the fight of your life—we have a Refuge and we have a source of Strength to equip us through it all.
This chapter also says He is a “very present help in trouble”. (emphasis mine) God’s not just promising to help, but He is there with you, fighting for you…even if you don’t feel it…He is VERY much with you in this very moment! When I own this truth I act differently. I’m stronger, more confident, hopeful—almost like my faith has been made sight—all because I’m living out the promise that my God is a very present help. He’s right here with us. Right now! Our God is very present!
THE LORD OF HOSTS
And it’s not just “any” help. Psalm 46 goes on to say, “the Lord of Hosts is with us.” When you read “Lord of Hosts”, that is reminding us that He is God of warring angels, God of angel armies ready for battle in the heavenlies against the enemy. He’s not only standing by us as a Refuge and Strength, but our God fights for us too! None of us in Christ walk alone as we slay our “daily dragons”—whatever the battle might be.
[easy-tweet tweet=”Often times the Lord will bring someone to join our fight, even if they don’t know it.” user=”@JaymeHull” hashtags=”#truth”]Often times the Lord will bring someone to join our fight, even if they don’t know it. We never know how or when God will work. If you’re in need, ask the Lord to remind you of His promises through His word and His people. Or maybe, it’s you that God wants to use in someone else’s life. My prayer is that we slow down and look up to see where God might be at work. Could one smile, one cup of coffee, one encouraging word to a stranger or that acquaintance at church be just the battle cry they needed? What if!?
Praise the Lord of Hosts who fights for us in ways we cannot even fathom! Friend…call on Him when you are in need. Ask Him to fight for you like only He can. It’s just like God to use the struggles in this life that try to break us or pin us down, to be the things that show His great love, strengthen us, and reveal His glory to all. He’s a supernatural multi-tasker like that!
Meet Our New Guest Blogger Amy Bryant
Amy is a wife, a mother and a Jesus lover. She enjoys coffee and a good belly laugh around the dinner table with friends and family. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Aaron, and their three children, Silas, Isaiah and Ellis Joy, as well as their dogs, Jabba and Chewie, who are the life of the party.
Click HERE to read more spiritual encouragement.
