God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Two Observations from this verse:
- God is all powerful
- God is very present
If you can take these two thoughts throughout your day today, it will bring strength to you.
GOD IS ALL POWEFUL
The psalmist starts with God or Elohim. Elohim is the Hebrew word for God that appears in the very first sentence of the Bible. When we pray to Elohim, we remember that he is the one who began it all, creating the heavens and the earth and separating light from darkness, water from dry land, night from day. This ancient name for God contains the idea of God’s creative power as well as his authority and sovereignty.
Elohim (e-lo-HEEM) is the plural form of El or Eloah, one of the oldest designations for divinity in the world. The Hebrews borrowed the term El from the Canaanites. It can refer either to the true God or to pagan gods. Though El is used more than 200 times in the Hebrew Bible, Elohim is used more than 2,500 times. Its plural form is used not to indicate a belief in many gods but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God. He is the God of gods, the highest of all.
The psalmist makes a declaration that God is all powerful every moment of every day. He never decrease in power. And He is our refuge for security, and safety.
He is unassailable fortress; He is unconquered castle, and when we put our trust in Him, we run in His castle we find comfort and safety for our hearts and lives as we rest in God who is our refuge. All that would have assailed us must remain on the outside. God is the hedge of protection around us Nothing can touch us except either that which God allows. We have this assurance of knowing we are protected and secure and we will only face difficulties on only that which God has allowed on purpose for our greater good.
The word strength means so might that upholds us even in difficult times of our lives. In our weaknesses we have Him for our trust. 2 Corinthians 12:9, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
GOD IS ALL VERY PRESENT
Our second thought is that God–not only He is all powerful but also He is very present help in trouble. It is one thing for God to be all powerful, but what if He is no where around? What if He is far away from us? What good will that be to me when God is all powerful yet for Him to be removed from my life?
I need Him with me in good times and in storms. I need Him in the boat of life as I am going through challenges. Think!
The word “very” is important here. Jesus said, “Man shall live by…” what? “….every word that proceeds for the mouth of God.” He also insisted in Matthew 5:18 saying, “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Do you know what a smallest letter or stroke is? Other translations says iota or jot. He is talking about the importance of even an apostrophe :). So this word “very” from “A very present help…” means extremely, exceedingly, in a high degree, tremendously, exceptionally, excessively, abundantly––present help in trouble.
See, for the past eight months or so, we have been told to social distancing from each other due to covid19; while we have been six feet apart in marketplaces and even in our homes, God is not even six feet away. He is right here with me to an extent even my skin is a bit far from me. He is that very present.
The word “help” means Ezra in Hebrew like the book of Ezra. He is present to support, to under guard, to strengthen. He is actively involve to help us and strengthen us especially when we mostly need Him.
Trouble = circumstance, problem, adversity, inconvenience, worry, suffering, hardship. We need to know that in our afflictions God is very present and He is our refuge and strength.
APPLICATION:
Whatever the world may offer us as security––stock market, guns, healthcare, organic food, diets, a politician––it is nothing compared to God. We are to put our trust in Him and Him alone. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ you have earned the right to make God your refuge and strength, a very help in trouble. You cannot claim this promise if you think Jesus Christ is just another prophet or a man. I’d encourage you to ask God in prayer to open your heart and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Without Christ, you have no life, no hope, no God, and you cannot claim this benefit. Make that decision today.