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.
Our text for this foxhole prayer was 2 Chronicles 18:31. King Jehoshaphat was not to align himself with King Ahab, and he did anyway. God was not obligated to hear Jehoshaphat’s prayer since he was in direct disobedience to the LORD. However, when Jehoshaphat cried out(shriek out in anguish), the LORD surrounded him with a Rock, the stone of help as illustrated in 2 Samuel 22: 2-3, 47, 1Samuel 7:12. The word stone in those verses is the same word help in 2 Chronicles 18:31. When Jehoshaphat shrieked in anguish, God came himself. He didn’t deliver him from a distance, but was there with Jehoshaphat in the battle surrounding him as a Rock. God is our Rock, Shield, Refuge and Savior.
Later in the service we offered up prayers for our soldiers, past and present who have given their lives as the utimate sacrifice for the freedoms we gratefully enjoy. Those freedoms include the freedom of speech and freedom of religion, to worship as we choose. We prayed for the soldiers who serve now and all families who have lost someone for freedom’s sake. May the God of comfort give the families peace and heal their broken hearts. May God encourage those soldiers who endure extreme pain and disability. May he heal their bodies, minds and families. We the people of Grace Baptist Church are deeply thankful for you and pray for you. May God be your refuge, strength and Savior.