GOD IS OUR ONLY HOPE
(Psalm 46)
By Lasaro Flores
ALLOF GRACE MINISTRIES
    Considering what is happening between Pakistan and India with the threat of nuclear war, what are we supposed to do? There is only one option: WE ARE TO TRUST GOD!; for He "is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof" (vv.1-3). Is this only in reference to natural catastrophes? I think not; for verse 6 tells us that "the heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted". Of course, we're familiar with Matthew 24: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places" (v.7). Yes, we are to trust our God whenever we have to past through earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, or any other natural catastrophe, but oh, how much more we are to do so in the threat of nuclear war!

    We read that not only we are to "behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth" (v.8), but that He also "He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire" (v.9). Yes, my beloved brethren, we ought to remember that our God, "whose name alone is JEHOVAH, (is) the most high over all the earth" (Psalm 83:18), holds every man's heart in His hands, "whose heart (He) knowest" (1 Kings 8:39)); therefore, "the preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD" (Proverbs 16:1), and so even though "a man's heart deviseth his way: ...the LORD directeth his steps" (v.9); (read my article, Who Is In Control?). Furthermore, "there are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand" (19:21). What does this mean? It means that whatever decisions a nation's leader makes, or wants to make, it is still in the sovereign control of our Almighty God!, including those of Pakistan and India. "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will" (21:1). IS THIS THE GOD YOU ARE TRUSTING IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?

    What is our foundation upon which our hope is fixed upon? That "there is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early" (Psalm 46:4,5); that we can "count it all joy when (we) fall into divers temptations", i.e. trials of fears (James 1:2). The precious Holy Spirit of God will give us the joy and comfort in the midst of dire events, no matter what they are; for our God will be in our midst so that His people, the true Church that the Lord Jesus is building, will not be moved. Yes, the Lord Jesus tells us that "in the world (we) shall have tribulation: but (to) be of good cheer;" for "I have overcome the world" says He (John 16:33). So let us pause and meditate that "the LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah" (Psalm 46:7,11), and learn to "be still, and know that (He is) God" and that He "will be exalted among the heathen" and "will be exalted in the earth" (v.10).

    Although it's true that the child of God "must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22), "and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12), "and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Revelation 12:11), nevertheless what is true of Psalm 91 is still true for the true believer today: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked" (vv.1-8). Why? Why should this be true for anyone of us? "Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation" (vv.9-16). Hallelujah!!!

    Oh, may it not be true of anyone of us as it is said of those in Luke 12:26 - "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth". Note the similarity of vv.25 here with our text of Psalm 46 - "And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring", and "the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof" (vv.2,3). So, what if India and Pakistan do start a nuclear war? What if what is happening in Israel gets worse and is simply the precursor of what is suppose to take place before the Lord Jesus Christ comes back as He promised? What if it pleases not our God to stop them? What if He has purposed for this to be the beginning of the end? In that case, may you be found in Christ Jesus so that He will be your "refuge and strength, and a very present help in trouble"; for ONLY He will be able to protect you and bring you through whatever happens. Amen.

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