God is Our Refuge and Strength

Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
September 13, 2023
Psalm 46:1

This past Monday was a day to remember. A day to remember a great tragedy and a great awakening. A great tragedy as our country found itself under attack by terrorists, and a great awakening that our country could be so vulnerable. It was a day, like so many other days, full of work and schedules to maintain. A day that started, for me, with a devotional, a quick prayer and off I went with my own agenda ahead of me. Do you remember September 11, 2001?

This past Monday, I started the day very similar to the way I started my day some 22 years ago. I began my devotional with the day’s events running around in my mind. I started to pray over all that lay ahead of me. Then, my phone reminded me of a special time of prayer with a dear pastor who daily posts a quick video from some local spot where he shares a word from The Lord and a fitting prayer for the day. When the pastor stated that we should not only remember the tragedy, but those who continue to be greatly affected by it, I realized how selfish I was and that I did what I preach against so often; I only, really, had my self ahead of everyone else. What followed was a powerful moment of grieving and repentance.

Do you remember what you were doing on that fateful day of September 11th 2021? I can picture myself clad in my deli apron and hairnet, preparing the store where I worked for a busy day. Though, I don’t work in a deli anymore, I am still starting my days preparing but now I wonder if I am truly preparing, or if I am just going through the motions.

My devotional reading for Monday was written by a survivor of 9/11. She and her husband lived in an apartment just six blocks away from the World Trade Center. She admitted that in her fear she cried out to God, but felt that God would not answer her prayer as she had given up on her faith years before. Looking back, she realized that God was meeting her in her lowest point and continues to be a very present help. That is what today’s verse is all about; “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”. Don’t miss the “is”, “our” and “ever-present” part of this scripture. God is, not was or gonna be. He is for all of us, our help, no matter what we face this day or in days to come. He is always present, right in the middle of it all.

I realize that you may be reading this today and feel as if I don’t have a clue as to the depth of grief, fear or anxiety that faces you. Well, you would be right, but I do the know the One who knows and I promise you that I am calling out to Him for you and asking Him to forgive my selfish ambitions, and agenda..

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”.

Amen!