What does it mean God is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1)? from Christian Truth
In Psalm 46, we see the back and forth of difficult circumstances followed by reminders that God is our refuge. Verse 1 says: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” This is a comforting assurance that shows us God is our safety, strength, and help. In the proceeding verses, the psalmist tells us that our natural response to this promise is to live free from fear, no matter the circumstances: “Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling” (verses 2–3). These are some pretty extreme conditions, but we see throughout this psalm that God is fully trustworthy and fully in control.
Psalm 46 mentions the roaring waters of the sea and says we need not fear—even in such dangerous circumstances. We see this very scenario take place when Jesus calms the raging storm while He and His disciples were out at sea in Mark 4:35–39:
On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
