LORD of Hosts With Us

"The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. ⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah"

Psalm 46:6-7

The contrast presented here between the kingdoms of the earth and the power of God is striking.  While the nations rage like the sea, troubled and powerful, the LORD rules on high over all.  Kingdoms and nations are agitated in rage; people are moved even as the earth rotates around the sun.  Yet God does not need to move to utter His voice and melt the earth in majesty.  People react in response to what they see or feel, but God acts to further His divine plans and purposes.  He is always ahead of the most perceptive person or spirit, for the intent of hearts are laid bare before Him.

The sons of Korah acknowledged "The LORD of hosts is with us," and this remains true when nations rage.  When the rhetoric starts flying, the sabres are rattling or missiles are firing, the LORD of hosts is with us and the God of Jacob is our refuge.  Knowing what God has already said and promised in His word is a firm foundation for our feet in all seasons of life.  The LORD of hosts remains in command of every spirit and world power, and the nations are a drop in the bucket compared to Him.  At His word kings are raised up and deposed, and we can rest assured of His mercy even in judgment.

The "God of Jacob is our refuge," sang the psalmists, and a glance at the life of Jacob reveals a man whose wits and physical strength were no match for his many enemies that were of his own household.  His brother Esau who at one stage plotted to kill him was a mighty hunter when Jacob was a man of the tents.  Jacob's father-in-law Laban exceeded him with his conniving ways, tricking him into years of labour and changing his wages.  Unreasonable expectations were placed upon Jacob to protect the flock, yet God was his refuge.  In the midst of family drama, scandals in the community or famine in the land, God protected Jacob all His days and caused him to prevail and grow in faith.

Have you grown to appreciate who God is for you, that He is with you and a refuge?  The LORD is not like a bomb shelter or tower that is far away or difficult to access, for God is with us in the person of the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus.  He is acutely aware of our needs even before we ask Him for help,  Sometimes we resemble those troubled and raging nations when faith in Christ provides sure rest and refuge in our LORD.  Our refuge has come to us in the person of Jesus, and He will never leave or forsake us.  May we learn as Ruth to come to trust in the shelter of His wings, knowing He is with us wherever we go.  The God of nations is a shelter for the one who is humble before Him.