The other day in our elder meeting, we were discussing some pastoral care situations and ministry opportunities. As a part of the conversation, I mentioned that we were “in over our heads and treading water.” Another elder piped in and said, “Yes, and I feel like I need floaties.” Sometimes, I believe this is exactly where God wants us to be. He wants us at a place where the only way we’ll make it is through his strength.

As humans, we are notoriously self-absorbed. We’re often too “self-reliant” in that we fill our plates full and try to do anything and everything on our own. Or we’re too “self-limited” in that we’re paralyzed by all our flaws, weaknesses, and failures. In either extreme, we’re focused on “self.”

For today’s meditation, we should heed the words of wisdom and praise from the Old Testament:

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 
Psalm 46:1-3

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10

I know some folks who fear that the earth is giving way. I know some folks in a storm of challenge and difficulty. I know some folks facing situations that are distinctly stronger than they are. Maybe you’re one of them.

There are all kinds of reasons for the overwhelming circumstances we find ourselves facing. Sometimes, we created the situation by our own poor decisions and sins. Other times, life happened with burdens and difficulties. In still other cases, people did things to us that put us in these situations. It is a wise thing to discern if there are reasons for our overwhelming situations. If we need to confess or repent, we should. But the verses above don’t “qualify” the condition for running to the Lord.

“God is our refuge and strength” is an unconditional statement of fact and promise. He is a “very present help in trouble” regardless of the reason or cause for the trouble. I wonder if Solomon penned the proverb, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower” in reference to his father, David’s, trust in the Lord as his refuge and strength. The strong tower imagery in the ancient world was a tower of refuge and protection. Armies in the ancient world fought with swords, spears, and bows. A strong tower protected its inhabitants from bandits and marauders.

It is instructive that the name of the Lord is our strong tower. We can go to God as our refuge and strong tower if we know him. The God of Creation and unfathomable glory and holiness (Isaiah 6), is a God who invites us to know him by name (Exodus 3:14). In the ancient world, knowing a name gave one the right to call on a person. Knowing God’s name give us the right to call on him.

Are you in over your head? Are you treading water? Are your situations bigger than you are? If so, call on the Lord. He’s your refuge and strength. He’s your strong tower. Trust in him.

Mediation Takeaways:

• Read Psalm 46 and practice verse 10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Being still means “stop striving.” Get quiet. Read the Word. Pray. God is your refuge.
• Read Revelation 1:9-20 and see the unveiled glory of Christ. Recently, in worship I preached on Revelation 1:9-20. It’s one of the most powerful pictures of Jesus in Scripture. Jesus is the means of God being our strong tower and our refuge. Look to him. See him in all his glory and trust in him.
• Call on the name of the Lord from Proverbs 18:10. Talk to God about your troubles today. I had a church member tell me several weeks back when I encouraged her to share her situations with someone else, “God is my person. I talk to him all the time.” Will you make God your person today?

Photo by Mario La Pergola on Unsplash