A worldwide pandemic. War in Ukraine. Nightly shootings in our streets. Is there a stronghold of safety anywhere in this world? Is there a place of refuge? Not in the earth that quakes. Not in the seas that roar and foam. Not in the rivers that flood and change their course. Not in the kingdoms that totter.

And not in anything else that the forces of nature or government can destroy – not in our homes or our jobs, not in our bank accounts or trust funds, not in our social security checks or Medicare payments.

Instead, the psalmist would have us build our faith on a firmer foundation – on God Himself. And the first reason he says we can trust in God is because of His presence. Because God is in the midst of His people, we will not be moved, no matter what the circumstances of our lives may be.

But we can also trust God because of His power. For God doesn’t just promise to be with us – He promises to help us. And there is no power on Earth that can compare with the power of our God.
For no matter how devastating earthquakes may be, they are usually over in just seconds. But when our God utters His voice, the earth doesn’t just quake – it melts.

And yes, hurricanes may make the seas roar and foam, but when the Son of God speaks a word, the tempest is silent. In the same way, kings may threaten with their armies and governments may bluster with their bureaucrats. But it is God Who makes wars to cease to the end of the earth, taking our worst weapons and breaking them, burning them to ashes. It is God Who commands the blustering braggarts of the earth to be still, to cease their striving and know that He is God, and that His anointed Messiah is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

No, nothing is too difficult for our God. By the blood of His cross and the power of His resurrection, all authority in Heaven and on Earth belongs to our Lord Jesus. And when He comes again, His name will be exalted, not just in the Church, but throughout all the nations. All over the world, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

But until that day, while we live in a world of war and pestilence, a world of earthquakes and tornadoes, a world of fires and floods, we already have a place of perfect refuge, a source of sufficient strength. For the Lord of Hosts, the commander of all the armies of Heaven is with us today, guiding us and protecting us and helping us in our time of need.

And so let us rejoice in His presence, and let us pray for His help. And to that end, let us bow down before Him, accepting His pardon and submitting to His perfect Will. For no matter what happens, the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Psalm 46 (NASB)

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song.
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.