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“Great is our Lord and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.” Psalm 147:5 (ESV)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (ESV)

Red, green, blue, gold, silver – every color you can imagine adorns our trees each Christmas, and there’s nothing more beautiful than those handmade ornaments.  Memories of our childhood.  Favorites made in school.  Sentimental decorations dangling on lit up branches that transport us from Christmas present to Christmas past.  Sweet reflections.

Just hung my newest treasure on those limbs tonight – a promise of presence – God’s unmoveable presence.  Silver embossed scripture reminds me “God is within her, she will not fall” (Psalm 46:5a).  Unlike all the things around the psalmist, he could find his strength and refuge in our Mighty God.  The instability in his world had the propensity to cultivate fear, but he sings of the presence, power and safety found in God.

Music connects to our souls in a unique way – one that settles in our thoughts and brings to remembrance words we would have otherwise forgotten.  Love the psalmist’s song recounting God as his protector and source of stability.  A confident trust in our God.  Words to be sung especially in times when fear shows up.

Psalm 46 boldly declares “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” This refuge (Machaseh in the Hebrew) shows up repeatedly in the Psalms.  A theme resonating with promise and defining God as our safe retreat and place of healing/renewal. A call to not fear even in the shakeable scattering of everything surrounding us.  At the very voice of God all else melts and is dismissed.

Wow, I don’t know about you but I need those words. We need them to resonate deep in our souls.  To echo the faithfulness and presence of One who is ultimately totally in control of all things even if we don’t see it.  Our God is all powerful – nothing is too hard for Him – He has no limits. He is our ever-present help, refuge and stability.

Not sure what’s surrounding your life as we head towards the end of 2023, but I do know that nothing is beyond His sovereignty.  We can fully trust the heart of the One who resides within us – the One who lovingly chose to orchestrate the entrance of His Only Son into our sin-filled world that first Christmas morn.  The One who divinely covers us under His protective wing.  The One true God who isn’t limited by time or place.  The One who heals, restores and renews.

Sweet friend embrace Machaseh – the refuge of our God – the One we can count on to be our safe place. A forever welcoming of His presence.  A clinging to the truth of all He is and provider of all we need. Rest dear one and cherish God’s peace, power and refuge this Christmas.

“Father, Your presence surrounds us calming our deepest fears and reminding us of Your Mighty power.  May we cling to Your promises and dismiss the noise around us.”

For Your Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life