Psalm 46 God Is Our Refuge And Strength

Psalm 46:1

46 

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

(Psalm 46:1-3 NKJV)

What truly wonderful and powerful these verses are to hold on to when troubles strike. We all live in a fallen world which guarantees we all will face many challenges in life. Some of these will be quite difficult. The question we must ask of ourselves is: "Do I go through this with God, or apart from Him." One may rely on God's strength and wisdom in going through this thing or their own. Here is where faith comes in, "Do I believe God?" Remember Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."Just something to think about.

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)

My New Year's Thoughts

Well, 2012 in now in the history books and I hope all of you had a happy and safe New Year. I remember last year as being a year of fear for many people. I heard story after story of how the economy would crash along with others who believed the world would come to an end. Obviously, neither of these things happened. There was also the crowd who believed we are on the eve of destruction, so they are committed to prepping. While some prepped to be prepared just in case of emergency, others prepped out of fear of the crash which they believed is to come. I am sure prepping will continue to be trend of this year. Yes, there are many threats which could result in a major catastrophe in the near future, but will they happen or not is something we will have to wait and see. I have to wonder how many are prepared for the one thing which we know lies ahead. That is: "It is appointed for man to die once, and then comes judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) Then another area of fear for some is that man will destroy the environment through green house gases, weapons of mass destruction or by some other means. But the Bible says that God will destroy this world and then He will create a new heavens and a new earth. (2 Peter 3 and Revelation 21)

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I do not have to allow all the concerns of this world consume me in fear. Nothing can separate me from the love of God for I know one day I will live in His Heavenly kingdom. There is no need to fear an economic collapse as God owns all the resources any way and He can give them to whom He so chooses. God promises in His Word to "provide for all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) Jesus said all we have to do is “seek the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and all these things will be added to us." (Matthew 6:25-34) While Jesus warned with these words; “in this world we will have tribulation,” He also comforts us with His encouragement "to be of good cheer because He has overcome this world." (John 16:33)

Since making New Year’s resolutions is common this time of year, I guess I should talk a bit about that since I am rambling on with my thoughts. I usually do not go out and make New Year’s resolutions, but fear and worry is something which I have battled with. This year I desire to have growth and victory in this area through Jesus Christ. Second, I want to grow in my relationship with the Lord and in my relationship with my wife. Finally, I desire continuing serving the Lord in whatever way He leads me.

Enough rambling on, but I hope and pray each of you have a blessed 2013 in Christ Jesus.

No Need to Fear, But I Do

Credit: Freefoto.com

²² Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. ²³ But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. ²⁴ And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵ But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” (Luke 8:22-25 NKJV)



There are times when storms wreck havoc in our lives leading us to believe all is lost. We cry out to God, yet feel as though He is sleeping. The disciples experienced this when Jesus slept through a storm while waves crashed against their boat filling it with water. The disciples felt as though this thing is going down. I can just picture the disciples in a panic crying out, “Why is He sleeping?” In their desperation, they awoke Jesus saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” The book of Mark says the disciples sounded out, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” (See Mark 4:38) Now were the disciples really in any danger? Of course not, God would not allow Jesus or the disciples die before their time. God had a plan and a mission for them to accomplish; absolutely nothing could derail it. In fact, I am sure Jesus knew beforehand exactly what would happen, and what He would do. Maybe it was His plan to cause the storm while sleeping through it in order to test and teach His disciples that they might grow.


I know I am no different than the disciples. Oh boy, in this day and age, with all the crazy things going on, it is easy to get caught up in worry and fear.
What are some of the things people fear in this world today?

People fear losing their jobs.

People fear an economic collapse.

People fear a stock market crash.

People fear illness.

People fear death.

People fear people.

People fear the devil. 

The thing is, as followers of Christ, we do not have to fear. Then, why do we fear? He promised to never leave us or forsake us, didn't He? (See Hebrews 13:5-6) Does His word not guarantee us that God will deliver us from every work and preserve us for His heavenly kingdom? (2 Tim 4:18) Of course it does. Did He not give us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind? (2 Tim 1:7) Yes, God did give us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. The spirit of fear does not come from God, now does it? If fear does not come from God, then where does it come from?

Recently I heard someone say, "If the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, then fear of the devil must be the beginning of stupidity." I can see many things in my life where fear caused me to do something stupid or kept me from accomplishing something worthwhile. Then I think of the many times where I had an opportunity to speak to someone of Jesus, yet I did not. Why? Plain and simple, fear.

Lord, help me to be wise while bold and living a life not in fear.

(Scripture references for the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom:  Proverbs 9:10 and Psalms 111:10)