Refuge

Photo by Henrieke Fischer on Unsplash

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

Was that Barack Obama’s voice I was hearing on the car radio? And was that a Bible verse he read? How strange. I turned up the volume.

“Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.”

Sure enough, it was President Obama. I'd know his voice anywhere. He was at Ground Zero in New York City commemorating the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist strike on the World Trade Center. Thousands had lost their lives that horrific day, making it “the single largest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack on American soil”.[i] And this most assuredly was Psalm 46 he was reading in public for all to hear.

“There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.”

I was dumbfounded by it. Obama no doubt spoke these words to bring comfort and closure to grievous wounds inflicted upon our nation the decade prior. And rightly so. But did our president realize God was speaking through him? Maybe. Did he know that this message was not for one specific time but pertains to the treacherous days ahead? Most likely not.

Positions of authority are created and delegated by God, so God can proclaim a message through them as He wills. That authority may or may not realize it.[ii] As far as the high priest Caiaphas was concerned, Jesus was a threat to his people and their old-covenant ways that kept them in good standing with God. The only wise thing to do was to get rid of Him. “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”[iii] 

Did Caiaphas know he was prophesying? Probably.[iv] What he didn’t know was that he spoke the wisdom of God in a mystery which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].[v] Change was coming. It would begin at the cross. Old covenant commands engraved in cold, hard stone were to be replaced with superior covenant promises written on fleshy tables of the heart. The temporal priesthood Caiaphas so jealously guarded would be replaced with a lasting priesthood based on the power of an endless Life.[vi]

Without knowing it, Caiaphas also prophesied doom and destruction to the prince of darkness. At the cross, the devil was to be judged and condemned. Sentence would be passed upon him and his evil system that has dominated and devastated this world since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden. Now the judgment (crisis) of this world is coming on [sentence is now being passed on this world]. Now the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world shall be cast out (expelled).[vii]

This God-initiated act of war called “the cross” unleashed all-out hostility from the forces of evil who reject that the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.[viii] We’ve seen the enemy’s aggression; we’ve felt the impact of his hatred and dreaded its mounting intensity. Nevertheless, the LORD has already set His Son upon His throne.[ix] He intends to carry on with His mission till all His enemies are subdued and hearts held in bondage to sin and death are shaken free to experience Love at the deepest level and give love without reserve.[x]

God utters His voice, the earth melts. He’s doing frightening things no one would ever expect. Like a man of war, He’s showing Himself mighty against His enemies, making His name known to His adversaries. Who dares to resist their Creator? Nations tremble in His presence and are moved. Fierce opposition is shaken loose and reduced to nothing. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! [xi] 

Yet, God reveals a second detail of the utmost importance in this great mystery of His. On October 11, 2011, God placed Jesus out there, center stage. Through the lips of one in a position of authority in America, God let people know that in all the violent shakings and commotions, the upheavals and confusion, in uprisings and revolts, where fists are raised in defiance toward heaven and fists flying at each other in rage, they need not fear.[xii] 

There is a refuge in this war—humanity's only refuge. His name is Immanuel, God with us.[xiii] He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble—one that never falters or fails. We must come to Him by way of Jesus’ death on the cross, where enemies of God are transformed into sons and daughters and those who were far off are brought near. And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw and attract all men [Gentiles as well as Jews] to Myself .[xiv]  

Seas of troubled humanity may churn and foam and rage all around, but those who put their trust in Him need not get swept up in the tidal wave. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. This holy place of intimacy where God tabernacles with His children is “the ever-imparting Source of all refreshment, of all strength, of all blessedness”.[xv] He leads His children beside peaceful, still waters of “silent, secret underground communion” with Him.[xvi] How precious is your steadfast love O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of your wing.[xvii]

Though the earth is removed and foundations we trusted in for stability should crumble beneath our feet, there’s no need for panic. The foundation of God stands sure and unshaken; sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.

Though mountains of strength and stability “should be uprooted and sunk into the ocean”, God is in the midst of her (the intimate place where He tabernacles with His children); she shall not be moved; God will help her and that right early.[xviii] He meets with those who love and wait for Him. He spares those who remember Him in His ways and rejoice to work righteousness.[xix]

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.[xx]

[i] https://www.goodfellow.af.mil 12th Annual Blood, Sweat and Stairs: Honoring 9/11 First Responders

[ii] Authority of God  https://thewarriorsjourney.org. Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13–15

[iii] John 11:50–51

[iv] John 11:51

[v] 1 Corinthians 2:6–8 AMP

[vi] Romans 6:14–15; Hebrews 7:22; Hebrews 8:6; Colossians 2:11–14; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Hebrews 7:11–19; Hebrews 9:11–12  

[vii] John 12:31

[viii] Psalm 24:1

[ix] Psalm 2:4–6

[x] 1 Corinthians 15:25; Colossians 2:15; John 16:11; John 12:31;Romans 6:18; John 8:34–36; 1 John 4:7–8  

[xi] Psalm 46:6; Isaiah 64:3; Isaiah 42:13–15; Romans 9:19–21; Isaiah 64:2; 1 Corinthians 2:6; Psalm 10

[xii] Hebrews 12:22–24; Psalm 46:6; Psalm 2:1–3; John 3:17

[xiii] Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; A Mighty Fortress is our God by Martin Luther, ca 1529

[xiv] Psalm 46:4; John 12:31–32 AMP; John 6:40; Numbers 21:4–9; Romans 5:21; Colossians 2:15; Ephesians 2:13

[xv] MacLaren’s Expositions-Psalm 46:4 – Psalm 46:7

[xvi] Benson Commentary-Psalm 46:2; Psalm  91:1

[xvii] Psalm 36:7–9

[xviii] Benson Commentary-Psalm 46:2; 2 Peter 3:5–7; Barnes’ Notes on the Bible Psalm-46:2; Psalm 46:5

[xix] 2 Timothy 2:19; Psalm 95:1; Psalm 89:26; Isaiah 64:4–5

[xx] Psalm 46:1