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27 Divine resources for life’s difficulties

Encouragement for difficult days (27):

DIVINE RESOURCES FOR LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;”

Psalms 46:1-2

Dr. Martin Luther was remembered in history for nailing his ninety-five thesis on the door of the church at Wittenberg in Germany. He was also an accomplished musician, and we especially remember him for the hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”. Luther’s song is based upon Psalm 46, and that song has moved people for centuries to trust God no matter the circumstances.

In Psalm 46, we find three divine resources to sustain us in the difficulties of life. First of all, we need not fear because we have refuge. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear….” No matter what may happen to us, we can find refuge in the Lord. He is the rock that cannot be moved. When you and I run to Him for refuge, He is there to protect us. Note that God is our refuge and our strength. We don’t run to the Lord to hide, but we run to Him for help. He hides us so that He might help us, then He thrusts us back into the battle that we might accomplish His will in the world.

Secondly, in Psalm 46, we find that we need not faint because we have a river. “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.” (v. 4-5)

Jerusalem is one great city that has been built on a river. The great Egyptian cities were built on the Nile, Babylon was built on the Euphrates, and Rome was built on the Tiber. But Jerusalem had no river running through it for a water supply. Godly king Hezekiah built a marvelous water system for the city, bringing water through the rock into Jerusalem. Archeologists have discovered this system and you may walk in it in Jerusalem today. Psalm 46 is not talking about a literal river, rather about the supply of spiritual power available from the Lord for His people. In the Bible, water for drinking is a picture of the Holy Spirit. Remember John 7:37-39: “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” We will receive power as we are filled by the Holy Spirit.

Lastly, Psalm 46 says that we should not fret, because we have a revelation. “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” (v. 10-11) Be still, and know what? “That I am God.” I AM is one of the greatest names of God. When Moses told God that it was impossible for him to obey and lead Israel out of Egypt, God said to Moses: “Remember my name – I AM.” Not “I would like to be” or “I hope to be,” but I am! I am God! And Moses went out in the power of God’s name and defeated the enemy and set his people free. Jesus picked up that same divine name when He was here on earth; “I am the bread of life…. I am the good shepherd… I am the light of the world!” Whatever you need, says Jesus, I am. “Be still” may be translated as “Take your hands off!” In other words, we are to relax and know that He is God. Get your hands off the situation – stop playing God – and permit Him to take over.”

Here, then, are three wonderful divine resources for you to draw upon in the difficult times of life. We need not fear, we have a refuge. We need not faint, we have a river. We need not fret, we have a revelation: “Be still, and know that I am God!” A mighty fortress is our God – a bulwark never failing!