Our Refuge and Strength

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1

Have you ever found yourself in trouble? I have. I have been in trouble to the point that I wished I could just turn back the clock. Then I could avoid the problem. But that never happened, so I have always had to face the fact that trouble was upon me, and therefore, I needed help. Trouble is common to all of us. We all face troubles of many kinds. Some are of our own making, and others are completely out of our control. In times of trouble, we often need help because we are unable to cope with, or resolve the situation on our own. It is in these times that many people fall into old habits or addictions. But there is a help available to us that can and will overcome any trouble.
    God is ever-present in the times of our struggles. It is interesting that when trouble comes, many people run away from God. They feel that they have failed him, or are unworthy of any help from him. But these are exactly the times when God wants to touch our lives. He never leaves. We can run, but he is still there. He is always comforting and guiding us through the difficult times.
    God alone is our refuge and strength. Humans are all the same. When trouble comes, we want to run. God understands this, so he has provided a place for us to go. You see, he is our refuge and strength. A refuge is a place where we can go to find safety and protection. We are mistaken if we think we can find that in any other relationship or substance. Other things may cover up the trouble for a time, but in the end, the problems remain. God is the permanent solution. He will give us refuge and then strengthen us to go through the trouble. He never leaves, so we will not have to face the trouble alone. There is tremendous comfort when we understand God's heart for us.
    Today, some of you are in trouble. You know it, and you are unable to deal with the situation on your own. I encourage you to run to your refuge and strength. Allow him to comfort you and instruct you in the way you should go. He will never leave you, he will not abandon you, he will never forsake you. If you have run to another relationship or an old addiction for comfort, it is never too late. God is still right there waiting for you to turn to him. Make the right choice: Run to Jesus!