Psalm 46:1

NASB – God is our refuge and strength, A very ready help in trouble.

NLT – God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

VOICE – God is our shelter and our strength. When troubles seem near God is neared, and He’s ready to help. So why run and hide?

Responding to Trouble

The imagery of God being a “refuge” shows that God is a place of safety and security, much like an army fortress. Viewing God as our strength shows that God provides protection, but also empowers us to face any challenges us in our path. The psalmist also shares how God is constantly available and reliable in all moments. Knowing this can provide followers of God with comfort and hope during our trials.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How can God be your refuge? How can be your strength?

Inner Strength

We are often encouraged to actively seek God as a their place of strength. Strength, as listed in this verse, is the Hebrew noun ‘oz (oze). This term covers a span of different concept:

• Oz is the internal power and holiness of God.
• Oz is the motivation that God gives to His people in order to go out and do what is called. (this is where Psalm 46:1 comes in).
• Oz is the apparent strength of nations and individuals.
• Oz is the primary imagery or fortresses, horns, and strongholds.

Even the New Testament, true strength belong to God, and is mediated through Christ, and is experienced by believers through the Spirit. (see Mark 12:30, Ephesians 6:10) A lot of more progressive teaching redirects leaders to not focus in on self-reliance and to focus heavier on God’s divine strength.

Depending on who you talk to, explaining what’s God’s strength is like can lead one to be called a heretic. (It has happened to me.) However, I believe it’s helpful to build a connection in that aspect. Some people can struggle to comprehend if God is with them or not. Here’s how it’s been shown within my life.

Imagine playing a basketball game. You get to the fourth quarter. You’re tired and sweaty. You may be having an off game. With about 5 minutes left in the quarter, your coach calls a time out. You sit down and are ready to give up. You’re ready to call it a day. Yet, you feel this internal rush. Not from the coach’s pep talk. Not from your teammate or the crowds. It’s something that is building up inside of you. Something that’s getting you excited, focused, determined, and motivated to go out and give it your best. Something that says, “Nothing is going to get in my way.” After the time out, you go out to the floor and give it everything you got. You end up having the best five minutes of the game. Nothing changed externally for you, but there was a new inner strength that took over. That inner strength, to me, is God at work.

That ability to go out and do something that’s uncomfortable, but leads to greater compassion for your neighbor. That push outside of your comfort zone to stand on the picket lines and protests so your neighbor can have their voice heard. The energy you find to go out and volunteer at your local shelter or church after 10-hour days at work. These things are the spirit of God working within you to go out and do hard things. A lot of us have stressful things going on right now, whether it’s relationships, work, friends, personal goal, and more. These things can overtake our minds and create a lot of anxiety, depression, and stress. We often try and handle these things on our own, but God wants us to find rest in Him. To take our stressors and concerns to Him and allow His strength and protection to guide us on the path forward. One that aligns with justice, compassion, and faithful living.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How does God’s strength look like to you?