Help in Troubled Times

When I was a young mom, I was desperately tired. I remember staying up at night with my baby when he struggled to sleep and running to care for older children during the day. Operating on little rest and many responsibilities, I was ready to throw in the towel. Hear me, I am not saying I was prepared to give up on my children; no, I am saying that I craved a good's nights sleep. I was exhausted. My mother-in-law saw my sleep deprivation. She never judged but came to the house, lovingly picked up one of my children, and stated, "Anything else this much trouble, we would flush it down the toilet!" HAHA! She got me!

Life has many trials and tribulations. God's word says that we will have difficult days. Perhaps you are a young mom, and you, too, need sleep. Maybe you are trying to juggle life, work, and raising your children. Perhaps you are struggling to pay the rent or buy gas. Maybe a loved one is deathly sick. We can all agree that while on this earth, we will face deep wounds with wicked and wonky hurts. Some situations are within our control, but many are not. I think of the beautiful people of western North Carolina, for in my state, we have much damage, lost countless lives, and still have missing persons from the damage of Helene. It will take years to rebuild. It is a deep pain that leaves one questioning life's purpose.

In these moments of loss and longing, I go to Psalm 46. It carried me through 9/11, and I have read it repeatedly recently.

Psalm 46 reads,

Verses 1-3. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

Verses 4-7. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Verses 8-11. Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

From this passage, Warren Wiersbe gives three points of application.

God is our refuge so do not fear. (Psalm 46: 1-2)

God is our strength so do not faint. (Psalm 46:4-7)

God is our very present help so do not fret. (Psalm 45:9-11)

He is our refuge. Therefore, do not fear. We can turn to Him when we are in tight places. He is our hiding place, where we can be renewed.

God is our strength, so on the most difficult days, we do not need to faint. He will give us the power and strength to remain faithful and steady.

God is our very present help. We do not need to fret. He is our Abba Father. Let Him fight for us. He will be exalted. When in tight places, He strengthens us to finish the calling God has given.

Click here for his sermon. It is an oldie but a goodie! It is worth your time. As I read through this Psalm, his sermon has encouraged me.

You will be happy to know I did not flush any of my children down the toilet. Haha—they are alive and well. In fact, they are thriving. God is my refuge, my strength, and my help. He is the same for you, too.

I leave you with the words of Almighty Fortress, a hymn written between 1527-1529 by Martin Luther. Cedarville students sing this arrangement. The official music video is off the Cathedral CD by Heart Song.

Enjoy!