No Matter What

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."                   (Psalm 46:1 NASB)

I've written about this verse before. When there was a bombing. Or a school shooting. Or some other act of violence. Or in times of loneliness. Or during a pandemic. And this verse is on my mind again this morning.

When these events happen in our lives, it's easy to be overcome by them. To feel overwhelmed. It's easy to let grief or fear or anger or sadness or frustration consume us. I began this post with the first verse of one of my favorite Psalms, Psalm 46. It is a profound truth that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

The next word of that Psalm is a very important word. Therefore. Because it is true that "God is our refuge and strength", how are we to respond?

"Therefore, we will not fear." That's our response. We will not fear. No matter what happens. No matter how many bombs go off, or how many shootings there are, or how many acts of terrorism. No matter what we hear on the evening news. No matter what's going on in the world. No matter what's going on around me. No matter what happens. Because God is our strength, our very present help, we will not fear. That's our "therefore".  That's our response. Because God is MY refuge and strength, I will not fear.

We know the truth. That no matter what man does, God is still God. God is in control. Even when we don't understand and no matter what comes our way, that truth remains.


No matter what.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea."  (Psalm 46:1-2 NASB)