“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble.” Psalm 46:1
God has you! This is fact! But, how can we more deeply and consistently live in this reality?
Considering the poetic and musical essence of the Book of Songs, Psalm 46 begins somewhat abruptly (contrasting other Psalms where the call to praise prefaces the truth to be emphasized). In Psalm 46, as if the urgency of the world has already pressed in upon the psalmist and his audience, the song of praise announces forthrightly that God is with His people despite life’s troubles. As if sensing the duress of God’s people, the psalmist reminded the House of Israel, and you and me, that real-life burdens are no match for the simple truth that God is with you and God has you, even in the face of unthinkable troubles.
God is our “present help.”
God is not a religious category to consider. He is not distant, nor is He uninformed of your troubles. He is not indifferent to the plight of your personal burdens. HE IS HERE FOR YOU.
The idea of “present help” demonstrates three facts about God. First, a present help indicates an exceedingly available help. You never have to go and look for Him. He is here. Jesus has proven this, hence the meaning of the “incarnation” – God with us in the flesh. My dad would often remind me, “if God seems distant guess who moved?” (And, of course, the inferred answer is “me.”) Second, a present helpindicates an ever-sympathizing help. Psalm 62:1 announces that the soul finds rest in God alone. This indicates that God heals our soul’s pains and does so because He ever sympathizes with us. When Moses was in the deepest of despair, he asked God to remove Him from earth. Moses had given up on God, on Israel, and on life itself (Numbers 11:14-15). God did not chide Moses nor cast him aside. God instructed Moses to go the door of the “tent of Meeting.” It was there that God surrounded Moses with 70 elders to provide support. Oh, how God always demonstrates His sympathy toward us through graciously reaching into our lives with His very present help. Third, a present help indicates an always faithful help. In Lamentations 3:23, the familiar anthem rang out with the original proclamation, “great is your faithfulness.” Thomas Chisolm later wrote in his Hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, “there is no shadow of turning with Thee.” God is faithful. His strength, grace, and mercy are so intentional toward you that it is as if they are brand new every morning.
God is ever present for you, especially in the midst of your burdens. His help is exceedingly available, ever-sympathizing, and always faithful. Now, that is what anyone would call extremely comforting and encouraging news. In the face of such dynamic truth, we are left with one question: does your trust in God match His promise of “present help” offered to you?
So today, trust Him. Give Him your burdens, your troubles, and your uncertainties. He is your present help. HE HAS YOU! So, rejoice!
Blessings,
Ken
