Man's Refuge, Strength and Help
Robert Bruce Hull. Psalm 46:1-11 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.… The author of this psalm is unknown, but the occasion, it is almost unanimously agreed, was the deliverance of Jerusalem from the army of Sennacherib. Christians in all ages have drawn encouragement and strength from its promises and triumph. ant declarations. Luther, in trouble, was accustomed to say to his friend Melanchthon, "Come, Philip, let us sing the forty-sixth psalm": when his face would brighten like the sky after a summer shower. Even the profligate Byron, infidel, yet true poet, breaks forth in lofty strains as he tells us how "The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold." I. GOD AS A REFUGE. God's children often need such refuge. A bird pursued by a hawk took shelter in the bosom of a man, who said to it, "I will not kill thee nor betray thee to thine enemy, seeing thou hast fled to me for sanctuary." Christ came into this world that the soul hunted by the fierce hawks of temptation and sin might have a safe refuge. II. GOD AS THE STRENGTH OF THE BELIEVER. Many would be Christians if they could only be assured that they would be eminent Christians. God never promises that, but only strength and grace. We are entirely dependent on Him for this. It has enabled men to — 1. Endure great trials. 2. To conquer. As the old crusaders put upon their bannered cross, "In hoc signo vinces," so many a believer to-day faces and conquers his enemies in the strength that God gives. III. GOD IS ALSO A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. This world, beautiful as it is, has its dark and gloomy side. No one is exempt from trial. A motherless little girl was asked, "What do you do without a mother to whom to tell your troubles?" She replied, "My mother told me before she died to go to the Lord Jesus. She said that He had always been her friend, and that if I would go to Him He Would always be my friend." "But," said the questioner, "He is a great way off, and has so much to do; He cannot attend to you." "I don't know how much He has to do," said the child, "but He has said He would take care of me, and I believe He will." Would that we all had the faith of this orphan child. (Robert Bruce Hull.) Parallel Verses KJV: {To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.} God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. WEB: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.