A VERY PRESENT HELP

Ps.46:1 – God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

I love the various translations of the Bible and the beautiful shades of meaning they bring. In the NASB 2020 this verse reads, “God is our refuge and strength, a very ready help in trouble”. This tells us that the Lord is constantly ready to defend and help us at every moment; I love that. In the NKJV it says that the Lord is, “a very present help in trouble”. What an amazing promise!!! The Lord not only helps us, it is His very presence that is with us and brings well timed help in all of our dilemmas. God Himself is my help. Here is how Charles Spurgeon describes this.

“A very present help in trouble, or in distress he has so been found, he has been tried and proved by his people. He never withdraws himself from his afflicted. He is their help, truly, effectually, constantly; he is present or near them, close at their side and ready for their succor, and this is emphasized by the word very in our version, he is more present than friend or relative can be, yea, more nearly present than even the trouble itself. To all this comfortable truth is added the consideration that his assistance comes at the needed time. He is not as the swallows that leave us in the winter; he is a friend in need and a friend indeed. When it is very dark with us, let brave spirits say, “Come, let us sing the forty-sixth Psalm.”

“A fortress firm, and steadfast rock,
Is God in time of danger;
A shield and sword in every shock,
From foe well known or stranger.”

The presence of the Lord changes every situation we find ourselves in. David said it like this, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me”. David had faced wild animals, a giant, kings, armies, and even family betrayals and came to the conclusion, “God is my very present help in trouble”. I have also seen the Lord’s help in many crazy moments in life. He has been with me in financial calamities, in family crisis, when facing death, when betrayed by friends, and in so many situations too numerous to name here. How has He helped me every time? He comes Himself, my very present help, to comfort and strengthen me. Not only is He there beside me in trouble, He sees me through to an incredible place of breakthrough.