The Marines are in my “neck of the woods” and it is thundering! I can’t tell you how many days it has been but long enough where I feel at my “wit’s end!” It is obvious why they named it “Operation Rolling Thunder.”  But, at those times I remember what I’ve been told, “It’s the sound of freedom!” And yes, while I’m very thankful for such a reminder, I know my ultimate hope and trust is in the Lord of hosts who “makes wars to cease to the end of the earth” (Psalm 46:9a). His booming will certainly be the final say!

The following Scripture passage furnishes an adequate reminder when tensions are mounting:

God IS our refuge AND strength, a very present help in trouble!

Psalm 46:1, NASB

Gratefully, even though I don’t live in an actual war zone, I can appreciate the extent of how this verse reads.

God IS – not might be; He IS

God IS our refuge – not might be; He IS a refuge

God IS our strength – not might be; He IS our strength

God IS VERY PRESENT – not absent, not missing in action but present

God IS PRESENT with you in the trouble, and He wants to be your refuge and strength. He provides freedom from fear, freedom from anxiousness, and freedom from weakness.

But we can’t know the Refuge if we are anxiously, fearfully relying on our strength to muster through.

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10, NLT

The New American Standard Version of the Bible interprets to “be still” as “Cease striving.” Cease striving AND know. We cannot know something when we are stressed out and running in disorderly haste or confusion. We cannot know Him as a refuge when we are filled with unrest and burdens. We cannot be filled with the Spirit when we are filled with something else. Hence, we must Cease striving to KNOW:

The Lord of Host is with us (verse 11)!

Who is the Lord of Hosts? Well He’s the God of Heaven’s Armies!

The God of Jacob and of Israel, He is our stronghold—The same God who parted the Red Sea and brought a people out of bondage—

He IS present in your situation; He longs to feel your cup! He is waiting for you to . . .

Cease Striving, “Cry Out!” & Trust Him today!