There is much trouble in our world, and we fret and worry about many things.  Wars, a poor economy, problems in politics, problems with our nation, problems with our health, problems with our jobs – all of these things are troubling to our minds.  Concerns for all of these things can take away our joy and rest.  They can cause us to make foolish decisions and create strife between family members, neighbors, and even brothers and sisters in Christ.

In all of this chaos of angst and strife, there is a calming voice that calls us to peace.  The voice of God rises above the noise of the world and promises us that all will be well if we will only heed His words.  He does not tell us that He will keep us from all trouble, but He assures us that He will guide us through trouble so that we need never to doubt the final outcome.  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)

We do not hear God’s voice with our ears, but rather we hear Him with our hearts through His creation and His written word.  The universe that God created declares God’s unlimited power, and His blessed word proclaims His divine will (see Psalm 19).  Through these channels, the voice of God tells us that the troubles of this world can be overcome through faith in Him, for He has made it possible for us to exist in the calm, peaceful, and godly likeness of His image through Christ our Lord.

Let us give attention to just one short chapter of our God’s message of peace.  Notice Psalm 46 and consider its comforting message of God’s strong help for our troubles.

1                    GOD is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

2                    Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3                    Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

4                    There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

5                    God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;

God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

6                    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

8                    Come, behold the works of the LORD,

Who has made desolations in the earth.

9                    He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariot in the fire.

10                Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

11                The LORD of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

This message is clear: God will help us.  Therefore, let us not worry over the problems of this world whether they are wars ("the nations raged, the kingdoms were moved”) or even the condition of the earth itself ("even though the earth be removed”).  Our God has power over it all ("behold the works of the LORD”), and He is with His people ("GOD is our refuge and strength”).  In His presence is perfect security ("God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved”), and He will help us through any problem ("a very present help in trouble”).

Therefore, let us stop flailing about in fruitless worry and pointless strife, but rather let us trust in our Almighty God.  Attempting to solve the problems of the world without God is striving after the wind.  Instead, let us cease from our vain works, and let us cast all of our anxiety upon the Lord, for He cares for us (1Pet. 5:7).  Our great God is able to bear all of our burdens, so let our trust be in Him.  May the faith of God’s people result in peace and calm among them, for God has said, "Be still, and know that I am God.”

Stacey E. Durham