We Will Not Fear

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” (Psalm 46:1-3)

This message is ended with the word, “Selah”, a bit of instruction to the musicians to stop playing so that everyone can contemplate the gravity and depth of what was just said.

God is our safe and secure shelter. He strengthens, empowers and emboldens us. We get that. But it’s the next thing that usually gives us some difficulty. God is a very present help. Notice how the Psalmist is stressing how present God is by adding “very”. How can you be very present? What is more present than being present? Maybe if we stop thinking of God as a separate entity and start thinking in terms of one and not two, maybe then we can understand how God can be “very present”.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

God said, “I am married unto you” (Jeremiah 3:14). Marriage is defined as when two become one. Yes, God is a very present help. So present that he lives in you and you in Him.

By the way, the word, “trouble” means more than distress and tribulation. It implies an adversary.

But just look at what the Psalmist tells us not to fear; We should not fear the earth altering, that mountains move into the sea, even though the seas roar and foam, and even if the mountains shake, rattle, and roll. Because God is with us, in us, we should not fear. Think about that.

As an added note, look at the fear the sea level rise and climate change advocates (terrorist) push. They claim mass destruction in a handful of years. They cry “It’s happening NOW!” all in an effort to panic people into action. This is a classic trick of the trade from the devil, the adversary himself. Fabricate a problem which creates panic in an attempt to get people to react in fear and act irrationally. Sales people create panic, it's called creating a sense of urgency. It is a control technique to motivate people to buy right now.

Jesus can sleep during a storm at sea. God will make you to "lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul" (Psalm 23:2-3) But the devil, "your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8)

Panic is of the adversary the devil. Peace is of God. Who among us brings panic and who is it that brings peace?

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.

Get it? We will not fear!

Bill Hitchcock