Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Cyclones in Myanmar (Burma) and earthquakes and flooding in China, along with tornados and flooding in the United States, and other natural disasters in other parts of the world leave us with a variety of feelings and questions.
- Our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes, possessions, and even their lives.
- In our compassion we seek ways to offer assistance.
- We are frustrated when we learn that global assistance is resisted by political leaders.
- We turn to television, newspapers, and internet to learn what we can about the affected areas ... but soon the harshness of the news loses its appeal and we turn it off.
- We ask, "Where is God?" or "Why does God allow disasters to happen?" or "Is this a sign of the end times?" or "Am I my brothers keeper?"
The Psalmist, Psalm 46, reminds us that God is greater than all our disasters and questions and frustrations. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. When disasters occur - natural disasters or those caused by human actions - and we have no place else to turn or to go, God is present. God's presence is not limited by geography or circumstance. God is always present with us, God is our place of refuge. When we are weak and without hope, God is our strength allowing us face the circumstances with a strength beyond ourselves.
And God's presence in our lives means we can live again without fear. As another familiar psalm reminds us, "even though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I fear no evil for you are with me..." God's presence brings a sense of peace that circumstances would otherwise not allow.
In the midst of disasters we are called to respond. Sometimes our response is funding disaster aid to those in need, through a variety of organizations, with food and water and clothing. Sometimes are response is volunteering our times and skills to aid in the cleanup and rebuilding of homes that are lost. Sometimes our response is more limited to prayer and sometimes all we can do in response is to be still and know that God is..... present, refuge, and strength.
