Therefore, We Will Not Fear
Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah”
Have you ever experienced a life event that shakes you? You feel as if the earth is crumbling and the very ground under your feet is collapsing. Life is turned upside down and nothing is certain. Fear becomes all-encompassing and with it, doubt about everything of which we were sure of just days before. …Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea… our world crumbles around us and how will we survive it?
If that hasn’t happened, count yourself blessed, but, be ready. This life is difficult and God doesn’t promise it will be without trouble (John 16:33) But God gives us strength and hope to rest in Him because this world is not what we live for nor what we hope in. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear,...
Even if doubt and fear are present, God is ever-present. He is our refuge and our strength. He hides us and protects us. Doubt and fear are real. If we deny that, we’re lying to ourselves. And if we act with bravado, as if we’re in complete control and never experience doubt or fear, we’re lying to others. God knows we have doubt and fear. But He assures us that He is with us and able to conquer anything that might assault us. Let’s be real. Let’s be honest. Then, let’s be encouraged.
Here’s the thing… our focus has to be on Him, not on the turmoil. Note how Psalm 46:3 says “Selah”. What does that mean? It’s a musical term found in Scripture that means, stop, pause, be silent. God doesn’t want us to focus on the crumbling earth, falling mountains and raging sea, He wants us to focus on Him.
Psalm 46 creates a model for us to follow in desperate situations:
State what we know about God: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Remind ourselves of the surpassing nature of God’s attributes over anything in creation, time, and our life here: “Therefore (because He is our refuge, strength and ever-present help in trouble) WE WILL NOT FEAR, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Then, be still before God and ponder His Supremacy: “Selah”. Ponder for more than a moment. Allow the peace of God to settle in.
Doubt and fear can paralyze us, but focusing on the power and protection of God can help us overcome the doubt and fear.
Today, let’s pray this scripture over our sons and daughters, asking the Lord to reassure them, encourage them and help them overcome their fear and doubt, no matter what they might face today or in the days to come.
Pray without ceasing.