Have Faith, God is Our Strength in Times of Trouble – Psalm 46
During my quiet time this morning I was led to Psalm 46.
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” (1-3)
Thinking about our country’s crisis right now in the economic world you could easily substitute some words for this Psalm and it would apply today:
“So we will not fear even if a financial crisis comes in and the stock market plummets to new lows.” “Let the retirement accounts plummet and crumble and let the people on Wall Street and the stock market tremble as our confidence in the economy is at an all time low.”
The key in these verses is found in verse one and two – God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble so we will not fear.
I think that’s what God is calling us to do during these times. Remember that God is our refuge. He is our strength, so we should not fear – no matter what happens in the economic world or to our personal investments. God is reminding us to be still and know that He is God and know that He is in control and know that He will provide and He will make a way.
It’s in God that we can find our true security, no matter what happens, be it in our personal finances or any other aspect of our life.
I have been reading the works of Watchman Nee, a Chinese Christian author who died in 1972. In his book, The Spiritual Man ( a free on-line ebook), Nee writes about man’s soul and his emotions and how critical it is to allow the Holy Spirit to influence our reactions:
“One quality which characterizes a spiritual person is the great calm he maintains under every circumstance. Whatever may happen around him or however much he may be provoked, he accepts it all calmly and exhibits an unmovable nature. He is one who is able to regulate his every feeling, because his emotion has been yielded to the cross and his will and spirit are permeated with the power of the Holy Spirit. No extreme provocation has the strength to unsettle him. But if one has not accepted the dealing of the cross upon his emotion, then he will be easily influenced, stimulated, disturbed, and even governed by the external world. He will undergo constant change, for emotion shifts often. The slightest threat from outside or the smallest increase in work shall upset him and render him helpless. Whoever genuinely desires to be perfect must let the cross cut deeper into his emotion.” (P. 429)
Finally, let’s also be reminded of what the Psalmist writes in verse 10: “Be still, and know that I am God!”
Related Blog Post – God Gives Strength: Isaiah 40:29
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The CBU Team said,
It’s so easy to doubt God in times of trouble. If only we could remember He’s the one we should turn to as He will most assuredly pull us through.
Dale said,
Amen! We should be reminded that His ways are higher than our ways…. and what He says in His Word is the truth!
Thanks for your comment.
Ssendi said,
Many times the lord has delivered us before from the same or worse problems,he can do that again if you trullu trust him
donna said,
I am tryingt o hold to my faith now I’m goin through Troubled times.I have 5 children to feed,and I am recently unemployed due to medical problems.right now I barely have anything to feed my children everyday.I know god is right by my side.god will be here always.god is great.
Dale Fletcher said,
Hi Donna, I’m so sorry that times are difficult for you. Sure sounds like you are leaning on God a lot… Which is the best thing. He’ll see you throu this. He has HUGE shoulders. In Christ, Dale
stupid me said,
I think I’m pregnant and God knows I despise kids! I’m unemployed and the baby is not my fiances! He cheats on me so I decided to pay him back! I love God and I feel like he hates me! My life sucks on every level, I suffer from depression and panic disorder. I pray and nothing happens. I go to church sometimes and no one notices me! I need favor from God and his help!
stupid me said,
I need results! A job a good car my own house and love! Thats nothing for a God that rules all but yet I suffer daily! My faith is destroyed from everthing I attempt failing! I don’t even want to ever get out of bed! I’m broken I’m destroyed! I’m sad! I’m tiered!
Dale Fletcher said,
Hi Misty,
I am glad that you found this post to read… and I pray that the truths in the post sink into your heart and spirit and mind. Although your life is difficult right now… God knows all about your situation. He sees you in church, he knows you are hurting…. and I am certain that he is inviting you to draw closer and closer to him. That is a choice you alone can make. I pray that you will sense God in your life….. keep knocking on his door and he will answer you…. Can I suggest you read Matthew 11:28-30. Prayerfully, Dale
Dale Fletcher said,
Misty, I am so sorry that you are feeling so destroyed and desperate…. The Bible says that when we are truly broken in our spirit and turn to Him, He will respond. I encourage you to keep your heart turned to God…. and trust him to be involved in your life in a personal and meaningful way. In Christ, Dale
Lisa said,
My household of six is going through a huge financial debt. We are drowning in stress and everything seems to be going against us. Things happen, bills accumulate and keep coming out of know where it’s frustrating and so overwhelming. My spirit seeks and I’ve laid it all down to Jesus. I trust in him and I completely surrender my life and control over my finances and our lives to teach us his purpose and plan through this tough time.
Dale Fletcher said,
Lisa, I pray that as you and your family are in this difficult season that you will indeed continue to put your and trust in Jesus. As we experience these types of trials we have a choice to turn to him and grow in our faith, or to turn away from him. I’m happy for you that you have made a choice to turn to him. Praise the Lord! Dale
Melissa said,
Been a very rough year for my husband and I. It seems we have been hit on a daily basis. I am super discouraged, but am trying so hard to remember that God is faithful and that He can pull us out of the most difficult situation. We have 2 beautiful children and are expecting our 3rd – what a beautiful reminder of His love for us.
Dale Fletcher said,
Melissa,
Yes, our God is faithful. The truths of his character serve to remind us to put our hope in him. I pray that the trials you and your husband are experiencing draw you both closer to Him.
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