Strength

Thursday Devotions ~ Psalm 46

/ The Pastor

I remember the day very well – Tuesday, September 11, 2001. I was in seminary at the time. I had just returned to my dorm room after studying in the library early that morning. After I logged into my computer and pulled up my news source, I was horrified by what I saw. Being in disbelief, I immediately turned on the TV where my fears were vividly verified. I stood in the middle of my room stunned. Soon others who had walked by my open door joined me in silence. Not a word was said. Soon we heard the bell calling us to the chapel. In unison we left my room. I do not even remember turning the TV off or locking my door. We simply made our way across campus to the chapel. Tuesdays typically were not a highly attended chapel day, but that day was different. It was packed. We needed a refuge. We needed a Word. The Dean of Students opened the service with Psalm 46. I do not remember much else, but that opening moment I do remember, because verse 1 was what I needed. I think we all needed it.

“God is our refuge and strength, 
   a very present help in trouble.”

When someone is in trouble, there are two needs that often bubble to the surface. The first is a safe place. Sometimes the person feels embarrassed and wants to hide. They might feel attacked and thus the need to be shielded. They might feel they are on shaky ground and thus want something firm that they can trust. The second need that bubbles up is the need for strength. When in trouble the person might feel powerless about their situation. They might feel like they have no defense or no way to fight back. These needs are ingrained. It is the fight or flight response. In that moment I had no fight in me, only flight.

And that is where we were on 9/11 and thus when our Dean read this Psalm, we re-discovered the fact that God is our mighty and impenetrable fortress. We were reminded of the fact that God is sovereign and thus He is in control since He has all power. In that moment, we found our comfort in the promises of God. Though it appeared everything was crumbling down around us, we were being held in God’s loving arms. Though it appeared the enemy had struck a crippling blow, we heard victory proclaimed in the name of Jesus.

Whatever your trouble, run to God. He will never turn you away. He will never lock you out. Run to God and find your refuge and strength in Him. God will fight for you, and when you need to hide, He will shield you.

“God is our refuge and strength, 
   a very present help in trouble.”

Amen to that!

LET US PRAY: Father God, when trouble finds me or when I find trouble, I praise You that You are my refuge and strength. You are my comfort. You are my shield and buckler. You are my home. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Prayer in Weakness

/ The Pastor

Whatever weakness or vulnerability you are facing, may You know the grace and love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. He will never leave you nor will He desert you, leaving you to deal with your affliction alone. He is faithful and will be your strength. Praise Him in the storm. Praise Him always and forever. Praise Him. Let us pray…

Oh God,
I feel weak and vulnerable, frail and helpless. My strength has been melted away. But, You never promised the easy way in this life, but Jesus did promise to be with us to the very end of the age.
Oh my God,
sustain me in that promise.
For that promise, in the midst of affliction and weakness, is what gives me strength and hope. It cheers my heart when I am down and lifts me up when it feels I am at rock bottom.

May I not forget Your faithfulness.

Though my body feels frail, you are my strength.
Though I feel vulnerable, You are my Helper.
Though I feel useless, Your Spirit still works through me.
Though I feel pain, You are my Comforter.
Though I feel hopeless at times, You never desert me.
Though I feel overwhelmed, You are in complete control.

Oh God, my Father, Sustainer, Good Shepherd, Sovereign God, Lord and my Rock,
I praise You in the storm.
Though the waves are crashing into my boat,
You hold me tight
and will not let me be swept away.
Though the winds are blowing hard against me,
You hold me firm
and have placed me upon the Rock.
And so I beseech You,
Oh my God,
bind Satan that he may not drive me to despair.
Cast him away that my strength is not in fighting him,
but rather,
spent glorifying You,
knowing that my strength is from You.
And so,
as I sit here,
may You be glorified despite and though my weakness,
for You are worthy,
and my Good God almighty.
It is in Jesus name I pray,
Amen.