John Vernon- Security and Fulfillment

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved, God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter, he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us the God of Jacob is our fortress.

In this passage, the psalmist indicates the power of putting our hope and trust in the Lord, and through the worst of times, His providence and presence will be known. The passage encourages us and reminds us to give God all the glory for what He is doing, for what He has done for us, and for what He will do for us in the future. In verses 1-5, we are taught to seek comfort in the Lord when things in our life appear ominous and dark. Sometimes we forget to turn to God for His help when life gets rough, and as a result feel hopeless and burnt out. But, the beauty of being in a relationship with God is that He will take on our burdens, for only He is our refuge and strength. Just as Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” God is our refuge in which we may flee and know that we can feel secure. God is our strength to bear us up under our burdens, to provide us with the support of all the services and sufferings that we experience. He is in the midst of everything, so as long as we keep Him in our hearts, and our lives are built firmly around Him and His word, we will then be fulfilled.

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