Think of the most tumultuous time in your life. A time when it felt like literally everything was against you. When you couldn’t catch a break on any front and it was all you could do to just barely hold on; you were making it from one day to the next, and that was it.
Maybe that time was a long time ago. Maybe you haven’t faced something like it quite yet. Or maybe it’s happening right now.
Lots of people experienced upheaval like never before in 2020 and 2021. We all reacted in different ways. But it would be impossible to look at wildfires and floods and historic freezes and pandemics and civil unrest and not feel a flutter of resonance in your chest with the words of Korah’s sons scripted in Psalm 46. As with many other places in the Psalms, we see that unease—feeling the changes in the world, the very foundation of nature as we know it shaken—is not unique to our day and age. Yet despite these times of upheaval and uncertainty, we are exhorted over and over not to be afraid. And why don’t we fear? The opening verses in Psalm 46 tell us: because God is our refuge and protection, a very present help in distressful times.
That’s not just the distressful times the Psalmist went through—it’s true for our times as well. Psalm 46 goes on to paint a triumphant picture of a God who is refuge and delight to His people, who ends wars by shattering enemy weapons and bringing about victory for His people. These can seem like just words on a page to us, the fortunate rejoicing of those whose troubles now lay behind them…but let’s really take to heart the trials painted across this psalm. The words of upheaval and unease. Those things we resonated with…they should not resonate alone. Because the same struggles faced and felt by these people thousands of years ago were broken down by our Yahweh God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Then, just as now, we need not be afraid because He is our protection and He is here to help in times of distress!
I want to deeply encourage you to look at your times of distress—whether past, present, or something that might lurk on the horizon—with a view toward seeing Yahweh’s helping hand. Ask Him to reveal where He was, is, or can be in your tumultuous times. Invite His protection and seek refuge in Him. He is near and present, He will break the enemy weapons forged against you.
He is Yahweh of Armies. And He is with you.
