Morning Moments

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” Psalm 46:1.

A young couple who took their three-month-old baby to the movies was warned by the usher, “If the baby cries, you will have to leave.” We will give you your money back, but you cannot disturb the others who came to see the movie. After watching the show for half an hour, the husband asked his wife how she liked the movie. She told him that she did not like it and he agreed. “Pinch the baby and make him cry.” You don’t have to “pinch the baby” when life gets rotten, just call on Jesus.

In light of that, let’s look at the verse above more closely.
“God is” – Think about that brief statement consisting of only noun and verb. God is – that is REALITY and we can spend forever learning what and who He is. The Bible gives us much information, but if we are not careful it just becomes “knowledge” for us; more data to assimilate. But when GOD IS becomes the way we explain how we live, that makes all the difference.

In his book Mere Christianity,” C. S. Lewis uses the term “Practical Atheists” regarding how most of us live, because we so often failed to live as though GOD IS. As you go through the day, think about that brief statement.

“God is our REFUGE.” I wanted a motor cycle, but my wife did not want me to have one. So I borrowed my friend’s who wanted to sell his to buy a bigger one. I rode it to church on a Sunday Morning and loved it, so I rode it again that Sunday night. My wife drove the car. When Sunday evening service was over, it was pouring rain. I had just bought a wash and wear blue suit. I looked for my wife but she had already gone. I called her and asked, “Why did you leave me, it is pouring rain and I can’t ride the bike home.” To which she laughingly replied, “Sure you can. Ride the bike. Your suit is wash and wear.” Now you see how I have been so mistreated all these 43 years. “Bless my heart.”

When there is a storm, we need a refuge. When there is danger, we need a refuge. When there are attacks, we need a refuge. When there are devastating experiences of any kind in our lives, we need a refuge – GOD IS OUR REFUGE.

“God is our STRENGTH.” “Oh,” we often lament, “I am so weak.” God says “GOOD, now here is a chance for MY STRENGTH to be perfected in YOUR WEAKNESS. And remember we can do all things through Christ who STRENGTHENS us. But remember that the all things in Philippians 4:13 are in context, His personal care for our well being is providing what He has already promised. Paul understood, as should we, that “no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. In other words, it is not the lack of anything that should keep us from looking and loving and listening and following the Lord’s leading. As we go and as we ask, He supplies. So, says Paul, “Don’t be weary in well doing for IN DUE SEASON, you shall reap – IF YOU FAINT NOT. He, as our strength holds us UP when everybody and everything around us lets us down.

“We got trouble. I say we got trouble. Right here in River City. It starts with a T and that rhymes with P and that stands for pool.” That is from the great Broadway Musical, Seventy Six Trombones. Most reading this are probably too young to remember it. But, you know, it doesn’t matter what the trouble is so long as we remember that we do not face it alone and that HE IS a very present help in time of trouble. Keep this in mind and have a life more abundant in Jesus.

PRAYER: Thank you Father for freely giving to us all things that pertain to life and godliness in Christ Jesus.
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