#1116. God is our refuge and strength (7/8/24)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional and our Summer Inspiration series. Today we reflect on how the fear caused by the troubles that assault us are driven out as we take refuge in God’s presence.

To watch this devotional, follow the link below:

https://youtu.be/95qcbbZhmzs

‘God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah.’ (Psalm 46:1-3)

Psalms 46:1–3

This psalm compliments the events of Luke 8, as Jesus calmed the storm, that we looked at yesterday. Today, I want us to think a bit more about how we can weather the storms of life.

We are all assaulted with the fear of storms, and we are also, on occasion, actually engulfed in them. Therefore, it’s vital that we know how to handle ourselves so that we are not overwhelmed and give up. We can apply the following words to help us to weather the storms of life:

‘Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.’ (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

1 Corinthians 10:12–13

Remain humble

Firstly, we must avoid arrogance and that we can ‘stand’ the trials of life in our own strength. We are humbled with the words, ‘let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall’. There are many, seemingly strong Christians, who, when met with fiery trials, fall in various ways. So, as the Psalm encourages us, today, every day, make God your ‘refuge and strength’. Maintain a living and prayerful relationship with Him so that you have the roots that can withstand the storms.

We all face the same temptations

Secondly, we are told that ‘No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man’; We all face storms and of he same sort; it’s important to understand that the temptation to give up, despair, fear and forsake Jesus… are common to all - and particularly so in the trials of life.

Believe in the faithfulness of God toward you

Thirdly, we are encouraged to remember that, ‘God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.’ The fires may be hot, but you will not be burnt! The waters may be deep, but He will not allow you to drown! As the song says,

‘When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast. When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast. I could never keep my hold, Through life's fearful path. For my love is often cold, He must hold me fast. He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast. For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.’

Take the door of escape

Add to all this, we are encouraged to take wise action - the door of escape - that God gives to us. It’s no good our agreeing that we are weak, will face storms, and that God is faithful but them refuse to put on our life jacket! Many are not wise and put themselves in temptations way!

We are told, ‘but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.’ Linking this to our reading from Psalm 46, we are to take refuge, gain strength and seek help in our storms. Worship and prayer is a door of escape from being overwhelmed.

A particular application - ‘a door of escape’ and life Jacket - could be to ensure that you keep worshipping with your church when, for you, it feels like, ‘the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea… the waters roar and be troubled… the mountains shake with its swelling.’ Through the encouragement that fellowship brings you will be enabled to say, ‘God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.’