Psalm 46:1
It is no mystery that we all go through suffering and hardship in our lives. In fact, many of us are probably going through something really difficult right now that we just can’t seem to conquer. Yet the question in the midst of all of it is, where do you run to in times of trouble? What or who is your safety net when life battles you for your very being?
The world tells us to run to many different things. Whether it be sex, drugs, alcohol, or even ourselves, the world often points us to anything but God. Yet if you follow those routes, you’ll soon find that none of them can truly help you or satisfy you in times of distress. Far above all of these things, God is our refuge and strength. He is a very present help in times of trouble.
Jesus makes us a promise in Matthew 11:28-30. He says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Jesus is offering us supernatural rest here if only we come to Him. Yet how often is Jesus the first one we go to when tough times come our way?
Something we have to realize and understand is that Jesus is the only One who can truly help us in times of trouble and truly satisfy us in times of plenty. In Ecclesiastes 1:14, Solomon writes, “I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.” He is saying that all the things this world has to offer are worth nothing. They don’t satisfy! Yet there is One who does.
In Ephesians 1:19b-23, Paul says, “These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Christ fills all things and is the ultimate satisfaction of all things. He is the one through whom the world was made and for whom it was made. Therefore, when we go through times of struggle in our lives, who better to turn to than the one who is the fulfilment of all things? The next time you are struggling or hurting in life, make an effort to turn to Christ and ask Him for the rest that He alone can fulfil. Ask Him to fill you with His peace and I promise you, you won’t want to go anywhere else.
King James Version (KJV)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
New International Version (NIV)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
New American Bible (NASB)
“God is our refuge and strength, A very ready help in trouble.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
The Living Bible (TLB)
“God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.”