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Psalm 46:1 - God Is Our Refuge, Strength And Ever-Present Help.Psalm 46:1 (NKJV) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.INTRODUCTION The fear of mountains or cities suddenly crumbling into the sea as the result of an earthquake or a nuclear blast haunts many people today. But the psalm writer says that even if the world were to end, we need not fear. In the face of utter destruction, the writer expressed a quiet confidence in God's ability to save him. It seems impossible to consider the end of the world without becoming consumed by fear, but the Bible is clear - God is our refuge even in the midst of total destruction. He is not merely a temporary retreat; he is our eternal refuge and can provide strength in any circumstance. [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARL While engaged in our daily work, we should lift the soul to heaven in prayer. These silent petitions rise like incense before the throne of grace; and the enemy is baffled. The Christian whose heart is thus stayed upon God cannot be overcome. No evil arts can destroy his peace. All the promises of God's word, all the power of divine grace, all the resources of Jehovah, are pledged to secure his deliverance. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. And God was with him, a present help in every time of need.... Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted, and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Well-spring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor. It is only at the altar of God that we can kindle our tapers with divine fire. [GW 254-255] COMMENTARY ILLUSTRATION The Power of a Single Angel Israel had already been taken into captivity by the Assyrians when Sennacherib, king of Assyria, began taking away the cities of Judah. The Rabshakeh, or chief cupbearer for the king of Assyria, leading a great army from Assyria, stood at the forefront and spoke loudly in the ears of the people to Hezekiah's deputies. "Have I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, "Go up against this land, and destroy it" (2 Kings 18:25). "Do not ... let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD," he boasted proudly. "Has any of the gods of the nations at all delivered its land from the hand of the king of Assyria?" (v. 33). In all appearances, the Rabshakeh was right. The Assyrians had indeed conquered many lands and were a seemingly unstoppable force. God was indeed giving them victory over the nations, but little did they realize that they were now lifting their hand against the very One who was using them for administering judgment. Hezekiah called for the prayers of the prophet Isaiah and bowed himself in prayer before the Lord. "Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God" (2 Kings 19:16). God heard the prayer of His faithful servant, and in one night an angel of the Lord slew 185,000 of the Assyrian forces single-handedly. King Sennacherib then fled back to his land, where he was struck down with the sword amid worshiping the idol of his false god. Do you have challenges that are larger than life? God promises to protect you just the same. Study this experience of Hezekiah and be encouraged to face your troubles in the name of the Lord. Commander of heaven's armies, please send Your angels to help fight my battles. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Psalm 46:1 - God Is Our Refuge, Strength And Ever-Present Help. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230511-0954.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221230-1040.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150305-2109.html Psalm 34:7 - In Jesus We Are In The Best Of Care. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040723-1350.html 2 Kings 6:16 - Spiritual Eyesight - the 5th dimension. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060828-1003.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |