What or Who is YOUR Refuge and Strength?

Psalm 46 (AMP)

 ¹GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.

    ²Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas,

    ³Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

    ⁴There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

    ⁵God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early [at the dawn of the morning].

    ⁶The nations raged, the kingdoms tottered and were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

    ⁷The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our Fortress and High Tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

    ⁸Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations and wonders in the earth.

    ⁹He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow into pieces and snaps the spear in two; He burns the chariots in the fire.

    ¹⁰Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!

    ¹¹The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Haggai 2:6-7

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; ⁷ and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.

There are many things that man runs to in a time of  personal trouble and temptation. Some run back to their comfort zone. Some run to drugs to escape. Some run to sexual pleasure or a person that makes them feel good. Some run to alcohol, food, pleasure..etc..etc. 

In times of  civil and national trouble some run to their own thoughts on politics and morality. They sternly take up a position and blame whoever is not in agreement with their point of view.  They blame religion, the left wing,the right wing or whoever they  can look to as a scape goat for the trouble they are seeing and feeling.

And when world wide calamity and war seems to be building, as the contractions of a world at war begin, many many are running out of places to run. Many are running out of people to blame. And many more will ultimately  lose hope, that there is any hope left.

Now you may be reading this as a brother and sister in Christ and think that I have unsaved mankind in mind as I write this, BUT YOU WOULD BE MISTAKEN.

There has been and there is an ever growing number of Christians that have many other things as their refuge and strength instead of The Lord and His Word. Far too many  people who proclaim Christ as savior have politicians, denominations, the government, their pet doctrines, belief statements  and yes even sins of the flesh and heart,as their refuge and strength.

We see it when there is a shaking in the world and instead of hearing The Word and Gods promises proclaimed from pulpits and Christians mouths, we hear  blame, fear,unbelief. We hear political talking points. We hear one denomination mocking another. 

But, before I go too far into a world view. Let me bring it back down to YOU.  What or who do you run to in a time of trouble personally? When your soul and emotions are hurting, scared, at a place of unease, what does your heart turn to in that time?

Oh my friend He is very present. More present than that glass of wine. More present than that cookie. More present than even your own body that can be used to escape for a few moments of pleasure.

Just turn to Him with all your heart, trust in Him with all your heart. Open your heart. He is ABBA FATHER! A perfect daddy who cares and is full of blessings, full of all you need to be comforted and protected in a time of trouble.

As the scripture says above, there is coming a world wide time of trouble. A war like we have never seen. A shaking of all the elements. A removal of all things that man thinks he can trust in, hide in. 

Will we as The Church be ready...scratch that. Will YOU as a Christian be ready to be a place of refuge for your family and neighbors. Will you show the confidence you have in Christ, demonstrate the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION? 

Or will you be one mourns as the world mourns? I just want to say that this is coming from The Spirit as He teaches me, as I type. I am asking myself the same questions. 

Do we really believe His Word? Then we must prepare our hearts for the very real shaking of all things that can be shaken...but we will not be shaken if we are standing on the ONE AND ONLY THING THAT CAN NOT BE SHAKEN...OUR FAITH IN HIM,HIS NAME AND HIS WORD!