"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1
Joseph Scriven was in love and had plans to be married. The night before the wedding, his fiance was killed in a tragic accident. For many months, Joseph was bitter as he grieved the death of the one he loved. Finally, he turned to Christ to find peace and comfort. He found consolation in the Lord. Thereafter, he wrote a hymn that was his personal testimony. You probably know these words. "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer."
Life is uncertain and grief is a common experience of all mankind. Our grief is a two-way street. It may lead to bitterness and despair, but for so many it leads to God as a very present help in time of trouble. Of course, the choice is ours. To grieve any loss is human and normal. Bitterness is a stage of the grief process. The emotions of grief should be embraced. We need to let ourselves feel what is there. Running away from the feelings of grief will only prolong the healing process. Instead of running away from grief, let us run to God with our grief. He is still the Healer of broken hearts.
The psalmist declared God to be a very present help in trouble. He was not writing an academic hypothesis. He was writing through the observation of experience. His confidence in God's help was proven in the crucible of real life. The psalm is a testimony in song of God's help to meet human need in difficult days. So it was in the song of Joseph Scriven. He didn't learn of God's help in a classroom. He learned to know God as a very present help in the time of trouble. So can we.
Prayer: Father, You are a very present help in any and every trouble that we confront. We call upon You for that help through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Life is uncertain and grief is a common experience of all mankind. Our grief is a two-way street. It may lead to bitterness and despair, but for so many it leads to God as a very present help in time of trouble. Of course, the choice is ours. To grieve any loss is human and normal. Bitterness is a stage of the grief process. The emotions of grief should be embraced. We need to let ourselves feel what is there. Running away from the feelings of grief will only prolong the healing process. Instead of running away from grief, let us run to God with our grief. He is still the Healer of broken hearts.
The psalmist declared God to be a very present help in trouble. He was not writing an academic hypothesis. He was writing through the observation of experience. His confidence in God's help was proven in the crucible of real life. The psalm is a testimony in song of God's help to meet human need in difficult days. So it was in the song of Joseph Scriven. He didn't learn of God's help in a classroom. He learned to know God as a very present help in the time of trouble. So can we.
Prayer: Father, You are a very present help in any and every trouble that we confront. We call upon You for that help through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
