Try these on. In recent days we have seen another mass shooting in Roseburg, OR, wildfires in CA, a hurricane brushing the east coast, investigations of a presidential candidate, Russian aggression in the Middle East, more terrorism and terrorists threats, racial upheaval. and a bad economy. These are just some of the highlights, or perhaps I should say the lowlights.
As I watched some news programs this past week, I grew increasingly irritable, frustrated, angry, and disillusioned with all of it. In those moments God stepped in to intervene. He used His word once again to bring me back to balance.
The 46th chapter of Psalm seemed addressed just for me. Psalm 46:1-2 (NASB)
1
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
It is good to be reminded that in the middle of all the chaos in our world, when it appears the very foundations of our society are coming unravelled, falling apart, and crumbling right before our eyes. In the middle of this God offers some comforting words about Himself.
He is our refuge. That means He is our shelter. He is also our strength. That means He is our might as well as our fortress and stronghold. He is also our very present help in times of trouble. To put that another way God is our support and the One who comes to our aid in distress and anguish.
Those are comforting truths.
Verse two starts off with these words, "Therefore we will not fear..." The word fear defined is to be afraid or terrified. It is easy to look at everything and fall prey to fear and terror. It is so vitally important that we balance out all the bad news with the good news that God is still in control.
No matter if we face the afflictions of natural disasters, political upheaval, or wars brought on by the aggression of wicked tyrants, we need not fear. God is still our refuge, strength, and very present help in times of trouble. That does not change no matter what is going on around us. Because God is our foundation we need not fear. We need not live life in terror. We trust Him and we hope in Him.
The next time the bad news gets to you recall the words of Ps 46:1-2. We need not fear because God is our shelter, our fortress, and the One who gives us aid and support in our afflictions. Maybe we all need more time in the book of the Bible with good news instead of glued to the television, newspaper, or internet with all the bad news.
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