Refuge And Rest

Psalm 46 

Around the world, people are on the move. Possibly more than ever before, refugees (those who seek ‘refuge’) are found moving towards safer (or perceived as safer) places. It is a big political question right now in the UK. No-one knows exactly how many there are or how many reasons they have for leaving their native land.

OUR REFUGE (verses 1-3):

This psalm is one person’s take on what it means to know the security we find in God. After all if He is God – eternal, all-knowing and all-powerful – where else would you want to place your trust? He is our safe place; He is our strength; He is our help in trouble. The palmist confidently says: ‘Therefore we will not fear…’. The examples he gives are extreme but make the point. Only in a secure and blessed relationship with God do we find true security. Forget the bank account, forget the job, forget even family or good health. All these things can change so quickly. Only in God do we have absolute security for this life and for eternity. We really do not need to fear, yet we so often do!

The world will get worse before Jesus comes again, but He WILL come! Sadly there will be many more tragic and meaningless events in this restless world, but we do not need to fear!

Being concerned is absolutely right; being prayerful should be a priority! But we do not need to be fearful – Jesus is in charge and nothing is ever beyond His view or control. There is only one King of kings!

THE RIVER (verses 4-6):

What river? – there is no river in Jerusalem! This river is symbolic. It is the river of blessing (see John 7:37-38, Ezekiel 47 or Revelation 22:1-2) that flows from the very throne of God and it never runs dry. Wherever it flows, it brings life in all its fullness.

Lizzie and I like to walk by the River Hogsmill, but sometimes it runs slowly and very low, sometimes it seems sluggish or choked with weeds. At other times it runs swiftly and full of the latest downpour. But its flow is uncertain and not sustained. Not so the river in Psalm 46! God’s resources and blessings never run out. This river never runs dry! We can confidently come to God as our Father and know that He will give us all we need to go through any situation, any challenge.

It doesn’t matter what ‘the nations’ are doing. God simply lifts His voice and they melt! History tells its own story of how powers come and go. The only Kingdom that ever remains and can never come to an end is His Kingdom.

OUR FORTRESS (verses 7-9):

God is always with us. He will never leave or abandon us. Despite appearances, He is at work in His world, His purpose and plan to perform and bring to fruition. His often unseen hand never tires. His work rarely makes the news, yet work He does, tirelessly, in peoples’ hearts and lives, and especially in our lives as His chosen children.

Wars will cease. There will be peace on earth. But not by the hand of man! It is man’s sin that has wrought chaos and the very opposite of peace throughout human history. Jesus himself said wars would continue right up to the time of His return.

OUR REST (verses 10-11):

Where do we go to find rest and refreshment? For me, it is a walk by the river or up a hill or mountain! Jesus always rested and found refreshment and if He needed to, so do we. Jesus took time out to spend time with His Father in heaven, away from the crowds, no matter how pressing the need.

What does it mean to be still and know He is God? It means surely to trust Him completely, even and especially when we don’t understand, or we can’t see the way through or things around us seem to be getting worse not better. At those times and at all times, we need to reflect on scriptures such as Psalm 46 – to remember His promises and to stand firm knowing He is our refuge, the river of Life, our fortress and our rest.

Have a blessed week!