OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.
This verse to Christians is very comforting and quoted quite often. We, as Christians, will face difficult time and struggles throughout our life. We are not exempt from struggling, no more that Jesus was when he walked on the earth. Did Jesus suffer? Was Jesus lonely at times? Was he tempted to be discouraged? Was he misunderstood and criticized unjustly? The answer is undeniably yes.

But Jesus did not live a defeated life or live in total discouragement. Instead, he lived victoriously and reigns today in heaven. There is one element that separates those who live a defeated life from those who live a victorious life. It all has to do with where you find our source of strength. Jesus found his refuge – his security and his strength - in his Father.

So, Jesus lived in this imperfect world, and we do too. So why shouldn’t we go through hurts, habits and hang-ups that can weigh us down and get us discouraged? Are we any different that Jesus? Absolutely not. What God is developing within us is the character of Christ, and in order to do this, he must take us through all of the circumstances in life that he took Christ through. What does this mean? It means God is more interested in our character than our comfort, and he’s more concerned about our holiness than our happiness. So, the question becomes not if we will go through dark times in life, rather when we will go through them.

Does God cause these hurts and tragedies? No. But God can and will use dark and stressful times for our good. Although painful, He will use them to build a Christlike character within us. Knowing this, then what should we do when difficult times come? Let’s look at three things:
1. Refuse to be discouraged – In the 23rd Psalm, David said, “I will fear no evil”. This implies David made a choice, or a decision to not fear evil. In the same way, when Jesus faced the cross, he made a choice to follow God’s will; he made a choice to face down fear; he made a choice to ignore despair.
2. Remember God is with you – David said, “For you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). God not only promises his power, he promises his presence – a “present help”. We do not have to go through dark days alone. Jesus knew he was not alone when he walked to the cross.
3. Rely on God’s protection and guidance – Again, in Psalm 23:4 David says that God’s rod and staff comforted him- a source of strength. Shepherd’s used these tools daily to guide and protect their sheep. In the same way, God will be with you to protect and guide you through any troubles. When Jesus faced the cross, he could have called down 10,000 angels; or he could have called his disciples to arms; instead he relied on God to protect and guide him.

Perhaps you are facing problems in your life with health, family, finances, or maybe career issues. Maybe a hurt, habit or hang-up has got you down. Whatever you are facing, remember - look to the Lord for His strength. It might seem like you will never come out from under the weight of despair. But as you call upon God, and draw strength from His Word and His presence, He will give you the strength you need to persevere.

Be encouraged further by the words of Isaiah 40:29-31:
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.


In Christ,

Jerry McGuire