HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 2

 

 December 2, 2024

 

Psalm 46:1-3 

God is our refuge and strength, a very-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way, Though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling

 

As we pass through the various stages of life, the phrase, “You are in trouble,” carries a different meaning. As children, we fear being “in trouble” with our parents or maybe a teacher. If you were anything like me, getting “in trouble” was an ongoing temptation during my teen years. Then, into our twenties, thirties, forties, and beyond, being “in trouble” can mean a lengthy list of  unwelcome experiences in which trouble is a very present reality.

What we require daily, and with a measure of urgency, is a "very present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1). In the Hebrew of the Old Testament Psalm 46:1 suggests: "a help in tight times is abundantly available." Truth is, during challenging moments, when we feel surrounded by difficulties, in tight times, times of trouble, we seek help, don't we? This help, according to the psalm, is found in "God [who] is our refuge and strength" (Psalm 46:1).

But we have a little difficulty with this. God is not really “the Answer” we are looking for. What we look for is for God to provide us with a stategy, a to-do list would be nice, right? Give us  something, anything that we can do to deal with our difficult issues of life. Some action steps. But here in our reading there isn't anything like that. The psalmist simply says,  "God is our refuge. God is our strength.”

Advent reminds us that God's strength comes to us as a humble baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes. His refuge is given to us in his weakness.

It is only in Christ alone, the refuge of those in a tight spot, the strength of the weary "whose forms are bending low", that we can say, “Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its surging” (46:2-3). The Psalm suggests that we will not fear when the waters are turbulent, unstable and rough, because of who is with us. When it feels like the roarimg and foaming waters are closing in, the outstretched arms, of God with us, on the cross stops them. When we are full of trembling, aprehensive and anxious inside and outside, the empty tomb of our risen Lord of life bolding declares to us that no matter what, in Jesus, who came to us and who we now wait for to come again, all is well and all shall be well.

Because Jesus is our mighty fortress, as the EHV puts it we have “a helper who can always be found in times of trouble”. That's good news isn't it. Rather than fear, anxiety, and worry, driving our life, we can stand and lift up our heads because we are the beloved children of God, who  is our refuge and strength, a very-present help in trouble.

Thanks be to God!

God, 

when trouble seeks to overwhelm us, send your Spirit

to carry us to Christ, our refuge and strength. Amen