The Word that Helps

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psa. 46:1)."  The verse has made many a great hymn but the reality of the content should reveals something about both the Lord and His Word. For starters, this verse speaks volumes about the character of the Lord, particularly His comforting nature.

The infinite Creator God of the universe cares for each and every individual that He has created, holding and sustaining everything together by His powerful Word (Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17).  Additionally, the Lord desires to actively care for His creation.  God is not inactive in creation but is engaged, particularly in caring for people.

No more is the caring for humanity more clear than in the supreme caring act in all of history, the death and resurrection of Jesus.  God so loved the world that His Son took on the very sin of mankind, thus removing the wall of relational separation that sin had built between man and God.  Although salvation is the ultimate act of care and compassion, covering the largest hindrance to all of humanity, God is concerned with the small things too.

In reference to the above Psalm, God is ever-present in trouble.  This is not an isolated theological concept, but it is confirmed throughout the breadth of Scripture: no matter the circumstance, God is present to help and care for our needs (see Psa. 10:14; 28:7; 33:20; 68:19; Isa. 50:1, 9; Heb. 2:18).  All this points to a God who actively and earnestly cares for us.

Moreover, implicitly Psalm 46:1 also points to the value of God's Word, namely as a comforter im times of trouble.  The Word serves purposes ranging from teaching, reproof and correction (2 Tim. 3:16-17), but, because the Word is so intimately intertwined with the character of the Lord, being in very nature God (1 John 1:1-3), then the Word is equally loving and compassionate.  Just a cursory reading of the Psalms reveals the vast wealth to encouragement and comfort to be found.

All this is to note the utter relevance that the Word of God has in any situation.  Think of the reality of the Psalms.  They were liturgical pieces that served purpose of encouragement and praise.  The whole of Scripture serves purposes, let us then strive to grow in the Word so as to grow in the Lord!