The Tribune

By Carlos Spencer

There comes a time when most of us will experience the demands and challenges of this world. For some of us it can be overwhelming. In difficult times believers know in their hearts that God is the place of refuge; this is clearly supported by scripture. Psalm 91:1-2 (KJV) reads: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” This passage is comforting.

We obtain further guidance in Psalm 46:1-3 (KJV): “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.”

God is the Creator of all life and it is important to appreciate that He does not grant life and subsequently disappear, allowing us to suffer without a life support system of some kind. God is a God of love, complete, absolute and unconditional love. He is ever present and always available to us in time of need. Proverbs 18:10 (KJV) reminds us, “the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

We cannot escape the mountaintop and valley experiences of life. At one moment we are in celebratory mode, and at other times, often without any warning whatsoever, the situation becomes one of adversity and stress. Such is life, but we have God and hence there is no need to panic or fret. The challenge for many of us is remembering this and trusting in God. We must learn to hold on to our faith and trust in God’s word, irrespective of the extent or depth of our problem.

Scripture once again reassures us. Psalm 18:2 (KJV) tells us: “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” It would be helpful for us to reflect upon the magnitude of the message contained in this passage. It is awesome!

The fears that we might experience, even as children of God, are usually related to the work of Satan and his efforts to discourage us and create havoc in our lives. We need to always be cognizant of the fact that the devil is never asleep but always busy trying to undo the good work of God the Creator, in our lives.

Satan carries out his evil deeds and thereafter works on our minds to create fear, further compounding the problem. Fortunately, for us God’s word provides guidance and a reminder of His faithfulness. Deuteronomy 33:27 (KJV) states: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”

God is our refuge and we should keep this fact close to our hearts and minds. Life is not always going to be a bed of roses, but if we know God we can face today and tomorrow with hope and confidence.

Isaiah 25:4 (KJV) sums it up so well for us: “For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is a storm against the wall.”

Jeremiah 16:19 (KJV) affirms this: “O Lord, my strength and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction.” We are given additional guidance in Proverbs 14:26 (KJV): “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”

As a final comment, I wish to add that we should seek to walk with God at all times, and not only in times of tribulation. As believers, we must constantly reside “in the secret place of the most High”. God should always be a material part of our daily walk. There is simply no better alternative. Amen. Thanks be to God for the sharing of His word.