Faith and “God Is”

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:2 (ESV)

This Psalm has encouraged so many of God’s people through the ages. It is said that Martin Luther, when in greatest distress, was want to call for this psalm, saying, “Let us sing the forty-sixth psalm in concert; and then let the devil do his worst.” (John Trapp Commentary) One of his famous hymns, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” was based on this Psalm. It is said that Martin Luther and his family chose to remain in Wittenburg, Germany during the time of the bubonic plague, to minister to the sick and dying. His wife was pregnant at the time, but they put their trust in the Lord and touched and helped many in the Name of the Lord. We can see that Luther found God to be his refuge and strength, but the question that came to my mind is: who is God to me, in my present? Who is God to you, in yours?

If I know God is (present tense!) my refuge, then I don’t have to fear any storm that rages. A refuge is a shelter or protection in times of danger and distress. Do I take advantage of this refuge during my times of distress? Most times yes, if not I eventually end up there! Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. Psalm 16:1 NIV

As I ponder on who God is to me I realized that He is my rock–immovable, steady and the bedrock under my feet. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:2 NIV

He is my fortress–another name for refuge–He is my protection, a safe place, a hiding place where I can go to share my fears and my troubles. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18: 2 NIV

He, of course, is my Savior. My Savior who has rescued me from myself–including my past sins, my present battles and struggles, confusion, and insecurities. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 NIV

He is my Strength. When I am weak, As I ask Him to, He is there to strengthen me in every weak place. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29 NIV I can do all things through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT

He is my Father. And I shall be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV) See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are. the reason why the world does know us is that it did not know him 1 John 3:1 ESV

He is my Comforter. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

If you find yourself struggling today with focus, confidence or trust in Him, take time to refresh yourself in and through His Word. Remind yourself who He is to you, and if you discover you don’t really comprehend Him in any of these ways (Rock, Strength, Father, Savior etc.) ask Him to reveal Himself to you in those areas. He longs to help us understand all of Him.

He is my Lord. This one, as are all the areas, a work in progress. Fortunately, He helps me learn about it most everyday! ESV And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 ESV So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will se you free. John 8:31-32 ESV

There are so many other aspects of Him to discover and learn about. These are a just a few I drew from Psalm 46. I pray you grow in Him and with Him today.

Father, I thank You for loving us enough to teach us about Your and Your different aspects that You freely make known to us. I ask that You help us to grow in these and every area of who You are. Thank You, for being our Savior and helping us learn about Your Lordship. In Jesus’ Name, amen.