Our Refuge and Strength
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way, and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most-High dwells” (Psalm 46:1, 2, 4).
When you are reading this, mid-June 2023, we may be just returning from a “bucket list” trip on the Rhine River. This dream of mine started back in 2007 while flying to Ukraine on a mission trip. On one leg of the flight, we sat across from an older couple and got to talking to them. They were going on a major anniversary trip, they told us. When I asked where, they said a river cruise on the Danube. Both Rexanne and I have never felt the appeal for an ocean cruise, but this sounded different. And the thought stuck with us. As we save money and travel, most of our trips have been mission related. That’s a commitment we made years ago. Italy was an exception, and this is another exception. But even on this trip (like Italy) I’ve researched the places where we’re stopping in regard to Christian history, and plan to share some of this as we travel, via Facebook.
All of that to say, we will be seeing several castles as we cruise down the Rhine River. There are many in Europe. Why? Because in ancient days, one tribe fought against another, and those with the ability (often nobility) protected themselves in elaborate castles, with high and thick walls, sometimes with moats around them, with guard towers and draw bridges. With enough supplies, with a water source, you could hold off an enemy indefinitely. There was comfort in that for those within the castle.
Psalm 46 is said to be a song of the sons of Korah. They were a branch of singers, descendants of the sons of Moses’ cousin Korah. The three we see writing Psalms are: Heman, Asaph, and Ethan. Ironically, Korah himself led a rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16). He died when the earth swallowed up several of the rebels. But his family continued, and we can view that as a good thing. They do not necessarily follow in their great-grandfather’s footsteps. We don’t have to follow in the steps of rebellious grandparents or parents either. We each must choose our way.
As we choose God’s way, as we follow his Messiah, Jesus, that does not make life easy. It was not easy for the Israelites as Moses led them through the desert during their 40 years of wandering. God provided for them, but not in extravagant ways, only with the basics. That is sometimes true for us, as followers of Jesus, also. And with that in mind, the thought of being protected by a castle, by a fortress that has thick walls and supplies and warriors to guard us, is very inviting.
But notice, in Psalm 46, God does not lead us into such a fortress of refuge and strength. There is no literal castle. He is that refuge and strength, himself! We need to be inside of him! How does that happen? For the true follower of Jesus, we see the New Testament writers talk about being “in Christ.” Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6 talks about being “raised up together and made to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” In John 15:6-8 Jesus says, “If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and withers…If you abide in me, and my words abide in you…you will be my disciples.”
When God is with us, even the worst thing – death – ends up bringing us joy in heaven. Our spiritual enemies are many, but “in Christ” we find refuge and strength and hope that brings eternal reward!
Cross Point: Maybe not the Rhine River, but as Psalm 46 states, there is a river whose streams make us glad. It runs through heaven with the tree of life beside it (Revelation 22). It belongs to those who take refuge in the Lord.
When you are reading this, mid-June 2023, we may be just returning from a “bucket list” trip on the Rhine River. This dream of mine started back in 2007 while flying to Ukraine on a mission trip. On one leg of the flight, we sat across from an older couple and got to talking to them. They were going on a major anniversary trip, they told us. When I asked where, they said a river cruise on the Danube. Both Rexanne and I have never felt the appeal for an ocean cruise, but this sounded different. And the thought stuck with us. As we save money and travel, most of our trips have been mission related. That’s a commitment we made years ago. Italy was an exception, and this is another exception. But even on this trip (like Italy) I’ve researched the places where we’re stopping in regard to Christian history, and plan to share some of this as we travel, via Facebook.
All of that to say, we will be seeing several castles as we cruise down the Rhine River. There are many in Europe. Why? Because in ancient days, one tribe fought against another, and those with the ability (often nobility) protected themselves in elaborate castles, with high and thick walls, sometimes with moats around them, with guard towers and draw bridges. With enough supplies, with a water source, you could hold off an enemy indefinitely. There was comfort in that for those within the castle.
Psalm 46 is said to be a song of the sons of Korah. They were a branch of singers, descendants of the sons of Moses’ cousin Korah. The three we see writing Psalms are: Heman, Asaph, and Ethan. Ironically, Korah himself led a rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16). He died when the earth swallowed up several of the rebels. But his family continued, and we can view that as a good thing. They do not necessarily follow in their great-grandfather’s footsteps. We don’t have to follow in the steps of rebellious grandparents or parents either. We each must choose our way.
As we choose God’s way, as we follow his Messiah, Jesus, that does not make life easy. It was not easy for the Israelites as Moses led them through the desert during their 40 years of wandering. God provided for them, but not in extravagant ways, only with the basics. That is sometimes true for us, as followers of Jesus, also. And with that in mind, the thought of being protected by a castle, by a fortress that has thick walls and supplies and warriors to guard us, is very inviting.
But notice, in Psalm 46, God does not lead us into such a fortress of refuge and strength. There is no literal castle. He is that refuge and strength, himself! We need to be inside of him! How does that happen? For the true follower of Jesus, we see the New Testament writers talk about being “in Christ.” Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6 talks about being “raised up together and made to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” In John 15:6-8 Jesus says, “If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and withers…If you abide in me, and my words abide in you…you will be my disciples.”
When God is with us, even the worst thing – death – ends up bringing us joy in heaven. Our spiritual enemies are many, but “in Christ” we find refuge and strength and hope that brings eternal reward!
Cross Point: Maybe not the Rhine River, but as Psalm 46 states, there is a river whose streams make us glad. It runs through heaven with the tree of life beside it (Revelation 22). It belongs to those who take refuge in the Lord.
Posted in Cross Points