God is Present Today
By Dean Collins
Have you done any looking back lately? As we grow older, it seems like a rather common thing to do. Old friends and family members often do a lot of looking back when they are together. We tell stories of the good times, the funny moments we shared, the hard days we went through, and the mistakes we made. There is nothing wrong with looking back.
As we read through the pages of the Bible, we see God’s encouragement to look back at his faithfulness. It is good to remember the ancient stories of God’s gifts of rescue and provision for his children that ultimately led to the coming of Jesus as the Messiah of God. Looking back at what God has done in the past helps us find courage for the days ahead.
But it is critically important that we don’t allow ourselves to see God’s work or involvement in our lives as something that exists only in the past or the future. The psalmist reminds us that we need to celebrate and acknowledge God in the present moment!
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Yes, God was a refuge and strength for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He was a refuge and strength for Moses and Joshua and for all of Israel through their bondage in Egypt and throughout their forty years in the wilderness. God was the refuge and strength for David throughout his life and while he led Israel as king. Psalm 46 reminds us that God is our refuge and strength today!
Verse 1 continues: “a very present help in trouble.” Not just in past trouble, but in our trouble today. Whatever is going on in our lives, no matter how small or big our problems may be, God is our present help. He will not abandon us in our time of need.
As this psalm progresses, we learn that because we know God is active in the present, we have no reason for fear, no matter what happens in nature, with our health, with our family, or with our finances. God is present and will go with us through whatever comes our way.
Often, the struggles we face create a sense of havoc. There is busyness as we find the doctors we need. There is confusion as we struggle to find the job that pays us the salary we need to meet our expenses. Problems can be overwhelming. In the midst of our storms, Psalm 46 reminds us that we must do the counterintuitive thing: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
It is often hard to do. But when we are still before the Lord, our ever-present God will meet us, and by his presence, he will show us a way forward.
Father, today we confess that sometimes we view you as our God in the past and forget that you are always present with us. Today, we will seek to meet you in the stillness and trust you to meet us there. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 46 ESV
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