Ps 46:1,”God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” This verse helps demonstrate the theological truth that “Christ is All and in All”. As discussed in a previous blog we discovered that Christ is the believer’s refuge, and that God had established “cities of refuge” for people who had accidentally killed someone. We also see that Christ is a very “present” help in trouble. He was “present” when David’s life was being threatened by King Saul, his son Absalom and in battle. He was “present” when David as a lad volunteered to fight Goliath, the Philistine giant.
God tells Joshua in Jos 1:9″ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” What a very comforting and encouraging thought to know that God is with you wherever you are.
Another example would be when God led the Israelites out of Egypt. He went before them in the day with a pillar of cloud and at night with a pillar of fire. They could see his presence.
In John 14: 18-23, Christ promises not to leave us comfortless, but to make his abode with us. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. While He can’t be seen, He is there because scripture says so. There is no reason to fear because the Eternal, Holy God indwells the believer. When the trials of the world are overwhelming flee to Christ who is the believer’s refuge. He is a very present help in trouble. There is no need to feel pinned in, overwhelmed or defeated. Christ is always near and always hears the cry of the saint. Scripture testifies of that intimate, personal assurance that Christ is present.