Psalm 46 begins, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…”
You would think the “Therefore we will not fear” would be at the end of the Psalm, after the Holy Spirit, through the writer, has talked about all that God has done and all the reasons not to be afraid, but no. The fact that God is with us and that He has made Himself available to us is enough.
Refuge speaks of a place to hide from enemies or storms, and strength is that ability to face whatever comes our way. So whether we fight or flight, God is with us, very present, close, readily available. Therefore we will not fear.
So many of us are familiar with verse 10 that starts with, “Be still, and know that I am God…” Some English translations render it as “Stop striving…” I like that. So much of our fear and anxiety comes from us trying to maintain control. The Holy Spirit is trying to demonstrate that God is in control, and that He will conquer every enemy that opposes Him or His people.
So, stop striving. Be still and know that He is God, our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.