Help in tight places! Word for today

This daily encouragement comes from 'The Word for Today' devotional.
A free quarterly printed edition is available free from UCB Australia.

27 January 2009
Help in tight places!
"God is our refuge and strength."
Psalm 46:1 NAS
We live in a troubled world. Natural and man-made disasters like Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, tsunamis, wars, the mortgage crisis and soaring petrol prices have tapped the roots of our anxiety. Every night the media invades our homes bringing it all to us in real time, exposing us to a new phenomenon called 'compassion fatigue'. Modern-day psychiatrists identify the helplessness, stress, vulnerability and depression we feel watching and wondering, "What if we are next to be targeted by terrorists or slammed by forces of nature? Who will protect us?"
To the fearful in heart, the Bible says three things: (1) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Ps 46:1 NAS). The margin of the New American Standard Bible renders this last phrase, "Abundantly available for help in tight places." Isn't that great! When you're in a tight spot, God is abundantly available to help you. Notice, it doesn't say that God will help you occasionally or reluctantly. No, He will do it abundantly and faithfully. What more do you need? (2) "Therefore we will not fear" (v.2 NIV). You needn't panic, talk defeat, or give in to despair. The songwriter said, "He's as close as the mention of His name." Just breathe His name in prayer, and He'll be there for you. (3) "Let the oceans roar...Let the mountains tremble" (v.3 NLT). When everything you once thought to be stable and dependable is threatened and shaken to the core - you will be where you have always been - in the strong and loving arms of God; the One who is "abundantly available to help in tight places".

Soulfood Bible Readings
Isa 4-7, Matt 10:21-31, Ps 104:24-35, Pr 3:11-12