God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
    God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar; the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice; the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Come, behold the works of the Lord;
    see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations;
    I am exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge. (New Revised Standard Version)

Fear is one of those things that we don’t get over simply by telling ourselves to not be afraid. In fact, that approach typically makes us even more fearful – namely, because we focus on the fear itself. But to cope and deal with fear, it requires a focus on something bigger than the fear.

God is bigger than the boogie man.
He’s bigger than Godzilla,
or the monsters on TV.
Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man.
And He’s watching out for you and me.

So, when I’m lying in my bed,
and the furniture starts creeping,
I’ll just laugh and say,
“Hey, cut that out!”
And get back to my sleeping.
‘Cause I know that God’s the biggest,
and He’s watching all the while.
So, when I get scared I’ll think of Him,
and close my eyes and smile.

God is bigger than the boogie man.
He’s bigger than Godzilla,
or the monsters on TV.
Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man.
And He’s watching out for you and me. – VeggieTales

Psalms and songs of trust in God help us focus on divine hugeness instead of human puniness.

Changing Circumstances

Even though people may find themselves in the dire straits of natural disasters, they can have confidence smack in the middle of all the crazy chaos. Whereas those who focus on their fear become ever more anxious and feel as if the world is out of control, the believer isn’t threatened when overwhelming circumstances occur.

We will not fear, because God – who created the world and its vast natural systems – stands above it all and is therefore able to establish order out of chaos. Just as we are certain that the sun will again rise in the morning, so too, we have full confidence that God shall rise over the darkness and bring light and warmth to all that is shadowy and cold.

Shaky Politics

The nations and their governments who rule with injustice and care nothing for religion, breathe-out their threats and posture themselves as supreme leaders. They, too, are chaotic forces. But God is far above them, as well as above the flood and the famine. The leader’s bellicose blustering sounds merely like a chattering chipmunk to God.

And like natural disasters, the uproar of the nations does damage; but national leaders cannot topple God. Instead, God will shake up the unjust nations, like a protein shake in a blender. When delusional leaders encounter the voice of God, they cower in fear – but God’s people don’t. The spiritual person’s foundation will not be shaken, whereas the would-be dictator will find himself without anyone to lead.

A Working God

God is always working, albeit most of the time behind the scenes. God’s dominion extends over everything and everyone. God can obliterate any and all threats because God is everywhere present.

Based on this view of God, all we as people need do is be still and know that the Lord is God. Like Jesus rebuking the waves and the sea, resulting in immediate stillness, so God’s word brings us stillness, calmness, and freedom from fear and anxiety.

God is with us. God is in control. God cares for us. There are a lot of things we don’t know – such as why we have to personally endure the natural disasters and the unnatural dictators – but we can know without a shadow of a doubt that the presence of God surrounds us, and the love of God squeezes us.

With a transcendent Being who commands the angelic hosts of heaven, our source of security comes not from within but from without. The Lord is a trustworthy God who is vigilant in watching over us.

Trusting the Lord

Armies, security systems, and protective coverings all have their needed purpose in human life. Yet, when we look to our ultimate protection – the kind that provides security of both body and soul – it is God’s presence that sustains our highest and greatest needs.

Perhaps you understand the psalm’s message, yet still find it difficult or untenable to place faith in such an ancient writing and an even older God. Maybe you much prefer to trust in something that isn’t so ethereal, something you can engage with your five senses.

It could be that you prefer a strong political leader, more and bigger weapons, higher and thicker walls of protection. You work hard to have as much money as possible to keep you safe from harm. You seek to gain as much influence in the form of earthly power and authority as you can.

The problem is, however, that none of this earthly posturing is going to protect you from what you fear the most. All that work is going to prove unreliable in the end.

God is the only sure defense. Ultimate power belongs to the Lord God almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Deliverance of body and soul does not ultimately come through the strength of the military, the economy, or any human ingenuity or hard work; for the Christian, it comes through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Any inclination to place saving trust in personal resources, human institutions, or world might, will result in sure failure. They cannot remedy our fear, for nothing is able to match the power of God. Indeed, God is bigger than anyone and anything. We need the mighty fortress which is our God.

A mighty Fortress is our God
A Bulwark never failing
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing

For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe
His craft and power are great
And armed with cruel and hate
On earth is not his equal

Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
We’re not the right Man on our side
The Man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He
Lord Sabaoth His Name
From age to age, the same
And He must win the battle

That word above all earthly powers
No, thanks to them, abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go
This mortal life also
The body they may kill
God’s truth abideth still
His Kingdom is forever

Amen