May 16, 2025
What is Your Refuge?
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled; Though the mountains shake with its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3
Years ago, I remember former Carolina Panthers star safety Mike Minter speaking at our church. In his testimony, he shared how he came to Christ playing for legendary coach Tom Osborne at Nebraska. Minter was one of those, “Football Is Life” guys. His entire value, worth and identity was tied up in being great at football. But all that came crashing down when he tore his ACL two games into his redshirt sophomore season. Minter was devastated. His whole world was shaken because the one thing he loved the most had been taken away from him. The crisis, however, would lead to him coming to know Christ as his Savior. Mike was invited to a Bible study and he agreed to go but he admittedly went for selfish reasons. He made a deal with God that he would go if God would heal his knee. And while Minter didn’t receive physical healing, he would ultimately receive spiritual healing as he learned about a God who loved him and could not be taken away from him no matter the circumstances. For the first time in his life Minter understood that all the things he had valued - football, family, fame, etc. - could be taken away. But a relationship with Christ was eternal.
As we look at Psalm 46, we acknowledge that from birth everybody puts their hope and trust in something. I have a 1 1/2 year old grandson named Leo (who is amazing by the way). When he feels distressed or fearful, who does he want? He wants his Momma! Why? Because she is his refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
Again, we all have a refuge. For Mike Minter, it was football. For Leo, it was his Momma.
What is your refuge? Where are you placing your hope and security in times of trouble? Can that refuge be taken away. If so, you need to consider a stronger refuge.
Out of the gate, the Psalmist declares that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Most psalms begin with the writer presenting their problems to God. This psalm begins by declaring their provider. God is their source of hope. God is their source of refuge.
Though everything be taken away, we are putting all of our eggs in this basket. All of our hope is in the Lord.
To make his point, the psalmist imagines the greatest catastrophe that could happen and declares that even if the earth be removed and the mountains be carried into the sea, our hope is in the Lord alone.
He refers to the Lord as a very present help in times of trouble. He’s not some disinterested God keeping tabs on things from a distance. He is right here with you, in your midst, working in your circumstances.
When everything else is stripped away, He will still be there.
As I have gotten older, I can attest that everything in this world can be taken away: loved ones, dreams, money, health, you name it. As I write these words, my oldest daughter, not even 30, is in the hospital fighting a battle with something called pulmonary hypertension, which severely affects the heart and lungs. It’s an all-too-close reminder that things we take for granted like good health can be stripped away.
Yet we remain hopeful and steadfast because our hope and belief is in the One who cannot be stripped away - Jesus Christ. He is our rock and our refuge. In Him we place our trust.