I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. incline your ear to me and hear my prayer. – Psalms 17:6
Psalms 46:1-2
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need.
2 Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.
Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological and motivational construct that outlines five stages of human needs. These five stages encompass physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs. According to this theory, individuals are driven to meet these needs in a sequential order, starting with the fundamental physiological requirements.
The innate human need for safety is undeniable. It is part of our human DNA. People yearn for a safe and secure hiding place or refuge. This desire has been amplified during the 21st century due to the emergence of “social distancing” and “shelter in place” precautions.
David echoed this need for safety. However, David didn’t seek physical shelter. Instead, his refuge was found in his faith in his Father God, the King of the universe. David’s story, as narrated in the Scriptures, is one of continual threats and danger. He was a hunted man. He was persistently stalked by Saul, leading to years of evasion. He found himself continually on the run, fleeing from Saul. However, David’s prayers revealed his close and intimate relationship with the Father and his unwavering trust in Him. From an early age, David understood that genuine safety could only be found in the compassionate embrace of his Father God.
Psalms 17:8 Guard me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.
Every child of the King has access to safety and security. Confidence and peace are only moments away when we pray and reflect on the Father’s care for us and His readiness to provide assistance. The intimate bond David shared with the Father and the assurance it provided him is available to every child of the King.
Hebrews 13:5 God has said, “I will never leave you. I will never abandon you.”
Our Father’s precious promises serve as a source of unwavering trust and confidence in Him every day. He is our “safe place.” He earnestly and patiently desires that the children of the King acknowledge and come to Him. The Father delights in all those who put their trust in Him. He views each one of His children as extraordinarily precious, deserving of His unique affection. They experience both protection and shelter in His loving and compassionate presence (Stanley).
REFLECT & PRAY
Safety is not the absence of danger but the presence of God.
Father thank You for being our “safe place.” Sometimes, it seems our world and the peril it brings into our lives are threatening, overwhelming, and closing in. Yet You provide supernatural peace, serenity, assistance, and the strength to get us through.
INSIGHT
Psalms 46:1-2
1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come, and the mountains crumble into the sea.
The Psalms frequently emerge from a backdrop of personal despair, fear, frustration, and a sense of hopelessness. Individuals like David consistently bring their day-to-day practical issues to the Father through prayer and worship, seeking His assistance and intervention at all times.
Psalms 46:1 was the inspiration for Martin Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.” The Father is always ready to help, even in our challenging and tumultuous times, He never fails to support us. He always has our back. As Helen Keller wisely said, “Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold.”
When the children of the Father seek refuge in Him, they discover an inner resilience and the courage to confront whatever comes their way.
In our interconnected world of the 21st century, we are constantly bombarded with global upheavals, catastrophes, and disasters. This includes severe weather events, the emergence of famines, wars, epidemics, and pandemics.
In the absence of modern technology, the ancient world encountered similar disasters without any forewarning. The earth itself and the mountains are the most steadfast and invincible elements of their world (Kidner). Yet they could be shaken and tossed about as if they were mere pebbles due to violent earthquakes. People were always at risk of extreme weather conditions, droughts, locust infestations, military invasions, local floods, and fierce storms.
During such challenging times, we can be confident and unafraid. He is our strength. But what does that mean exactly? He is there for each child of the King. His presence keeps us resilient, potent, secure, and courageous.
He is our refuge, our fortress. What does that imply? “God is the one who protects us” or “God is the one who shelters us” (UBS). The Hebrew noun translated as refuge is machaseh. A refuge is a fortress, often built at high elevations for protection. It is derived from the Hebrew verb chacah, which means to be safe or to seek refuge. The Father is the one who takes care of us and protects us from danger (UBS).
“He is first like a strong fortress into which a man may flee and be absolutely safe; He is at the same time an unfailing source of strength, enabling one to cope” (Leupold).
But there is more. The Father is not merely our fortress and able to help; he is eager to do so. We have only to invite Him.
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
The phrase very present translates a maxim meaning “very accessible”; the verb means “be present, near.” He is “ever-present.” He is available and ready to be found and depended upon. He is not absent, distant, aloof, missing, or in hiding. And He is adequate for every situation. He is always on our side. And He is also by our side.
“Much promised help from the world is worthless when trouble comes, but that is when God shines and performs so faithfully” (Butler). He is the ultimate “First Responder.” He runs toward danger.
There might be days when we feel as though our world is crumbling, and everything we rely on seems to be cast into the sea. However, if we place our trust in God, there is no reason to fear because we have a sanctuary that remains unshaken. (Stanley)
Furthermore, Hebrew, unlike other languages, doesn’t use bold, italics, or underlines for emphasis. Instead, Hebrew employs “word order” to highlight importance. Often, the most significant word in a sentence is positioned at the beginning. Psalms 46 starts with the word Elohim, “God.” This is designed to shift our focus towards the Father. He is of utmost importance. Our needs, circumstances, and difficulties are a distant second.
When times are tough, we reach out to the Father. However, our reliance on Him should not be occasional but constant. Our dependency on Him should become our norm.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 12-06-22
© Dr. H 2023
Dr H Reflections 