Gospel Reflections #1081: An Opportunity to Encounter God

Psalm 46:1–3 ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore, though the earth should change and the mountains shake into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its tumult, we will not fear.’

This is a powerful hymn of faith, declaring that when we face the storms of life or unexpected disasters, God is our absolute safe haven and the strength we can always rely on.

It is also widely known that the Reformer Martin Luther wrote the lyrics to the famous hymn ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God’ based on Psalm 46.

Verse 1 defines God’s role in our lives in three words.

Refuge (fortress, sanctuary): This refers to a safe place where we can protect ourselves from enemy attacks or violent storms.

God is not merely a place where we can temporarily escape from real suffering, but a safe haven where we are protected amidst that very suffering.

Strength: This indicates that God not only protects us but also directly grants us the inner energy to face difficulties.

Help at hand: In the original Hebrew, this carries the nuance of ‘help that is immediately found in times of distress’.

God is not standing aloof, watching from afar; at the very moment we are in dire straits, He is already right there beside us, ready to help.

Verses 2 and 3 depict the collapse of the ‘earth’ and ‘mountains’—which humans trust as ‘the most unshakeable and unchanging things’. This is a metaphor for major upheavals that overturn the very foundations of life, such as massive earthquakes, tectonic shifts, the collapse of nations, or war.

In the Bible, ‘raging seas and waters’ symbolise the chaos, uncontrollable anxiety and threats that beset humanity.

In short, no matter how much the world descends into chaos or how drastically the circumstances around us may change, the psalmist asserts: ‘Therefore we will not fear.’

This psalm does not say, ‘Do not fear because the situation will improve.’

It teaches us a strong trust in the midst of adversity: that no matter how dire and turbulent the circumstances around us may be, we need not fear because a God who is greater and unshakeable is ‘with us right now’.

When we lose control of our lives and feel on the verge of being overwhelmed by anxiety, this passage calls out to us: ‘Stop relying on human strength; take refuge in God, our absolute stronghold.’

The realisation that God is with us at all times and guides us for the best can only be gained through painful experiences.

Therefore, for us, suffering is not merely suffering, but an opportunity to encounter God’s grace.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.