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.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, 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 fortress.
Psalm 46
Confidence is about certainty. The author of the Psalm 46 understood confidence and, more importantly, knew who to be certain in.
The Psalm opens, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” God is, not God sometimes is or God may be, but God is. He is our refuge. He is our strength. He is our fortress.
When everything else around us is uncertain, God is certain. He never changes, no matter what we face. There are a lot of things in this uncertain world that can bring fear to our hearts. Every time we encounter natural disasters, job uncertainties and tough financial realities, or just feel like nothing seems to be going right in our life, we can feel shaken and fearful. And in those moments, what are we called to do? Have confidence. Be still and know. God calls us to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he is who he says he is and that he will do what he says he will do. We can have confidence in him who is mighty to handle whatever difficulties we have in our lives. In all circumstances, no matter how terrible or frightening, our unchanging God is our refuge and strength.
Emily Eltiste '12
Director of Youth & Children, Christ Lutheran Church, Costa Mesa, CA