Our Refuge and Strength

Creating Space for Grace Devotion

 

Psalm 46

 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its water and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (v. 1-3)

 

My daughters were 3 and 6 when we took a trip to visit family in Spokane, Washington for Christmas. It was a great trip because we also had the opportunity to visit with other family members while we had a layover in Salt Lake City. By the time we boarded the plane for our two-hour flight to Spokane it was dark and we were told that a big snowstorm had just blown in from the north. The storm was causing some complications with our plane.

 

Now, I must tell you that I really don't care for "complications" when I fly anywhere. I just want to go where I'm going and be done with the flying part! But this time, I was particularly concerned because snowflakes as big as half-dollars were pouring from the sky, it was already very dark outside, the temperature was freezing, and airport technicians were "de-icing" our plane. De-icing our plane? I found myself wondering what would happen if our plane needed de-icing in midflight between Salt Lake City and Spokane? My imagination ran wild with that one!

 

I soon realized I needed to put my faith into action or it was going to be a very miserable flight. And I didn't want my children to experience fear or anxiety over something that was out of our control. It was then that I remembered the verse I had committed to memory in the Bible Study I attended: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. -Psalm 46:1" I spent the entire flight repeating that verse over and over in my head because that is the only way I could have a moment of peace.

 

Has there ever been a difficult time in your life when a Bible memory verse helped you get through it? Have you shared that story with family and friends?

 

Share your story - and create space for grace and strength... Make a difference in someone's life.

 

God and Gracious God,

We give you praise for being ever so strong! Like a rock and a fortress - our refuge! Thank you for giving us strength when we need it, and for being there even when we forget to call on you for help. And dear Lord, help us to share our stories of faith and grace with others. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.