When contemplating the character of God, we often associate it with blessings, abundance, and prosperity. Conversely, we tend to associate destitution and suffering with darkness, malevolent forces, or even the concept of evil. It is rare for anyone to link the Creator with destruction. Consequently, when faced with unexpected catastrophes, our pursuit of happiness is abruptly shattered, leaving us feeling utterly desolate. It is only by acknowledging the supreme authority of God that we can hope to restore our joy of salvation and find solace in Him.
God Is Our Refuge
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalms 46:1-3 (NIV)
A refugee is someone who recognizes the precariousness of their current living situation and makes the brave decision to seek a better future elsewhere. A refuge is a place that offers solace and shelter from a world filled with chaos and uncertainty. In times of distress when assistance is scarce and fear prevents others from extending a helping hand, people can find solace and support in God. He stands as a firm refuge for those willing to leave behind their uncertain circumstances. The Psalmist, having experienced God’s protective embrace, reveals Him as a steadfast source of refuge for all who are willing to forsake their insecure dwellings.
In times of distress, when humanity is faced with the wrath of natural calamities and catastrophic events, the Psalmist sought solace in the belief that God, the ultimate orchestrator of all creation, has a purpose in everything. It is conceivable that the Psalmist might have borne witness to the ominous sinking of the earth, consuming not only his own kin but also those who aligned with them. Alternatively, this knowledge may have been passed down through generations, as God’s retribution uttered by their ancestors. From the lineage of Korah, a profound understanding emerged. They recognized that it is indeed God who unleashes calamity and disaster. Yet, amidst this realization, they clung to the unwavering conviction that justice prevails in every act of God, even in the most trying of circumstances.
City Of God
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
Psalms 46:4-5 (NIV)
The future revelation was bestowed upon the Psalmist, who eloquently composed verses about the forthcoming splendour of the City of God, the new Jerusalem. Within the realm of the Most High’s heavenly abode, resplendent light and boundless glory prevail. The river of water of life is flowing in the city. It is noteworthy to mention that centuries later, these prophetic insights were reaffirmed by God to the Apostle John. Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:1-2). The existence of this picturesque river is also recorded in Ezekial 47:1-12.
The heavenly realm rejoices when each and every soul is redeemed, a testament to the eternal spring that has been graciously bestowed upon the faithful. This profound truth is reflected in the sacred scriptures, where it is written, “On that momentous day, a divine fountain shall be unfurled unto the household of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, purifying their hearts from the stain of sin and impurity” (Zechariah 13:1).
Such is the magnitude of God’s boundless love, manifested through the sacrificial offering of His Son, Jesus Christ. His precious and holy blood cascades like a living stream, for it is by His salvific grace that we find eternal life. The refreshing waters of salvation now flow forth from the celestial throne, reaching every corner of the earth, transcending borders, and embracing all nations, so that all may partake in the gift of everlasting life.
The dawn of a new day heralds a profound liberation for humanity from the shackles of eternal darkness, as eloquently expressed in the Scriptural passage from Matthew 4:16: “The inhabitants of regions enshrouded in obscurity have been graced with the vision of an illuminating brilliance; those dwelling in the realm overshadowed by the specter of demise have been bestowed with the radiance of salvation.”
See What The LORD Has Done
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
Psalms 46:6-9 (NIV)
God wants His people to take refuge in Him and find solace in His presence. Consequently, those
who do not adhere to this tenet shall incur God’s retribution for their transgressions. The Psalmist’s
vision concerning the Lord’s second coming is reiterated by Peter in his epistle.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.
2 Peter3:10-11 (NIV)
Are we ready to spread the Good News to the end of this earth resting our safety at the
hands of our Saviour? Meticulously, Elijah traversed through the desolate terrains, compelling
humanity to acknowledge the sovereignty of the one true God.
The Psalmist extends an invitation to the people to witness the profound desolations that God has
brought upon the earth, emphasizing the importance of seeking refuge in Him. However, it is
disheartening to find that many individuals inadvertently find themselves standing alongside the
wicked, unknowingly opposing the very God they seek to honour. These people are like the one
who asked Pilate to crucify Jesus.
Due to our inequities, God’s wrath was bestowed upon His beloved Son, resulting in the distortion
of His countenance, deterred many from gazing upon Him (Isaiah 52:14). Similar to Peter’s
inclination toward Christ’s transfiguration, individuals often settle in their comfort zone,
disregarding the sobering realities of God’s righteous wrath and the consequent desolation that
ensues to exhibit the sovereign power of God. The Psalmist proclaims the love of God and asks the people to come and see what He has done to His Son to save us.
Be Still
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
Psalms 46:10-11 (NIV)
I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
In order to perceive the teachings of the Spirit of God and comprehend His ways, one must possess a tranquil heart. Amidst the disorder and tumult of this world, true inner peace proves elusive, as worldly pursuits often lead us astray from the will of God. Regrettably, religions themselves have at times fallen short of providing solace and serenity to the masses, as conflicts borne from the desire to protect and preserve different faiths contribute to unrest that permeates society.
In order to witness the exaltation of our Lord on earth, it is imperative that we detach ourselves from the glamour and distractions of the world, seeking solace and refuge in the presence of God. As stated in Isaiah 26:1, on that glorious day, a praise-filled hymn will resound in the land of Judah, proclaiming the strength of our fortified city, with salvation as its bastions and defences. It is within the shelter of this spiritually fortified sanctuary that believers can find serenity, remaining steadfast amidst the tumultuous and disorderly affairs of the world.
The Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee. For you (we) died, and your (our) life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).
The Jordan Valley 
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