Ask anyone if they need help and the answer is usually Yes, at least if they’re honest. People need help finding a job. They need help navigating a difficult relationship. Couples need help communicating in marriage. Parents need help raising their children. Students need help on assignments. Church leadership needs help securing volunteers to serve in a variety of ministries. Those who are sick need help getting well. In this fallen world we all need help. But while it is good and right to ask for help from others, we should first go to God for help. His help is not only readily available, it is far superior than the help we receive from others. It should greatly encourage us that our Creator and Redeemer never fails to supply all the help that His people need. He is always with us, always ready to help us, and always strong enough to protect us. If only we would believe that He is our fortress when our world comes crashing down upon us, our fear would give way to faith. Psalm 46 bolsters such belief.
Refuge of Faith
Regardless of whether we are facing suffering or the temptation to sin, saints can say with confidence, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Therefore, even when “the earth gives way” or a crisis upends all normalcy “we will not fear” (v. 2). When we are troubled God is with us. When we are weak He is strong. When we are shaken He is our fortress.
Think of the disciples when they were crossing the lake in a boat and Jesus fell asleep (Luke 8:22-25). The surging storm shook them to the core, but Jesus turned chaos to calm. Then, the One whom winds and water obey asked the disciples, “Where is your faith?” (v. 25). It’s a good question. Like the disciples we are often afraid in the midst of uncertainty. But Jesus is with us to help in our time of need. Cry out to Him in your fear. He is your refuge, strength, and help in times of trouble.
River of Joy
Just as God chose David to be king, so too He chose Jerusalem to be His dwelling place (Psalm 46:4-7). The “city of God” in which the temple was built revealed a heavenly reality (v. 4). God is present with His people to help. Joy comes from God’s presence. Victory comes from God’s command. Even when “the nations rage” and “kingdoms totter” the kingdom of God will never fail (v. 6). The Lord “is with us” always and forever as “our fortress” (v. 7).
Ultimately Jesus fulfills God’s promise to be with us, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Today Christ dwells with us by His Spirit whom He sent when He ascended into heaven (John 16:7). Our “joy may be full” because Christ has accomplished our redemption and His Spirit applies redemption’s benefits to us (v. 24). Christ, the King of the nations, will reign in the New Jerusalem and together we will worship the triune God forever and ever.
Restoration of Peace
The prescription for fear is to consider the works of the Lord in creation and redemption: “Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth” (Psalm 46:8). We worship the One who “makes wars cease to the end of the earth” (v. 9). As we are “still” before the Lord and recognize that He is God, peace will reign in our hearts. As we consider that “He will be exalted among the nations” and “in the earth” (v. 10), worry will give way to worship. And as we embrace the truth that “the LORD of hosts is with us” and “is our fortress” (v. 11), fear will give way to faith.
“God has highly exalted [His Son] and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11). When fear threatens to undo us, trials try to steal our joy, and temptations shake our peace, let us turn to the Lord to strengthen us. We will find that “the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:7, 11).