In Times of Trouble

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

When I was kid, my brother and I liked to build forts. A fort was a special place we could go when we wanted to “hide out” from the rest of the world. It was our safe place, our refuge. The Bible says that God is our refuge. However, that does not mean He will never lead us into difficult or dangerous situations.

God often led the Israelites into battles against more powerful armies. He took Gideon’s army of 32,000 and reduced it to a rag-tag bunch of 300 men, but with God’s help those 300 were victorious over an enemy of 135,000. Jesus put his disciples in a boat knowing full well that a storm was brewing. Jesus became their refuge in the storm when he walked on water and calmed the raging sea.

“In this world you will have trouble.” Jesus says, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) No doubt there will be times when we will be outnumbered by our enemy, when you and I will need a place of refuge from life’s storms. That place is God. He is our refuge and strength. We can count on Him to provide the victory, to show up in the storm. God is our refuge and strength — always present, always ready to help in times of trouble.