I discovered something in my quiet time today that I wanted to share with you.
I have started working in a school for refugee children- kids who have been displaced by war in African countries, mostly to the south of my country now. These kids are all amazing- smart, eager to learn, and are ready to be challenged. It is a joy to see kids so self-motivated to learn and perform well!
I was reading Psalm 46 as a part of my time with God today, which describes God as security: it is a beautiful description of seeing God as our provider and refuge. The text continues below (ESV):
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives 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.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
'Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!'
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
This has been such an encouraging psalm to me in my time here, because of the internal journey and shaping that I have walked while here. God gives a great promise to walk through tragedy with His people. However, the violent imagery stands out to me boldly today because of the context that I now work in, with people who fled countries because of danger. The danger that requires refuge here is just as much physical as it is emotional/spiritual. God is spoken about as a source of quiet, comfort, and refuge in this passage, but I have never seen the layer where God is also a fortress, a force, that makes the earth MELT, who breaks weapons and demolishes strongholds, while commanding opposing forces to be still because He is the King of all creation. What a God we serve! One who has the power over all dominions and creation, the one who has the power to even champion the horrific conflicts that are occurring now in neighboring countries.
This encourages me in a deeper way. I am questioning why conflict leading to war has purpose in the Big Ultimate Plan, especially when God ultimately has control over all of these world powers. However, I also know that there is comfort in just that answer: God has control. He promises- “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” This is truly an amazing promise! That even if I am caught in the worst physical battle for my life, God is my refuge and my fortress, and that he ultimately wins the fight. God fights with me when I can’t fight for myself, which I feel the weight of being in a spiritually oppressive country! God is present and powerful here in both the good and the bad, and while I don’t have the answer, I am still thankful for his presence. So, I stop fighting, I look up, I lay down my battle in surredner, and let the better fighter take control.