Need Comfort? God Is...

For four weeks I have been mulling this verse over and over. 

I know exactly how long, because I've been praying through the psalms one at a time, and Psalm 46 popped up on the 16th of September.

I didn't read any further than verse 1. 

There, I stopped, as it grabbed and stuck to my brain, like the leech that once tightly gripped my arm as I floated peacefully down the Snake River one summer while in Washington. 

I couldn't seem to shake it...

Perhaps it had a lot to do with the timing of when the verse appeared and what was going on in our world a month ago.

Why fight it?

So, I pondered...

God is our refuge, our sanctuary, our safe place, when life feels overwhelming and when nothing makes sense.

He tucks us under the shadow of His wings, when we're troubled by circumstances without and there is turmoil within our souls, 

He draws us close to His side, and near to His heart. 

He is our calm in stormy seas; and, He invites us into a place of peace, where rest and restoration are possible (because He can sleep even when the waves are higher than the boat, He's the perfect one to show us how we can, too).

He is our hiding place. 

He is our haven of solitude, when we prefer to sail under the radar, unnoticed; when we need some privacy and a quiet place to process what's happening about us,  

God is our strength, our fortitude. When we really, really just want to throw up our hands, He, through the power of His mighty Spirit, keeps us steadfastly plodding along. 

With His strength, He helps us do the very next right thing in front of us. 

He is our very present help in times of trouble.

He is always with us; He never forsakes us or abandons us.

What a progression!

When we step into His presence, in that sacred place, secreted close enough to hear the rhythm of His heart - He strengthens us, develops us, then moves us into the work He has prepared for us.

But, more than anything, these two words simply jump off the page (or should):

GOD IS!

He EXISTS.

(Never question it.)

He is with us.

Always.

Today.

Right now.

Forever.

Not has been.

Not will be.

HE IS!

And, when we need His help, He's ALWAYS for us! 

What a verse of good cheer for these days in which we live.

Be comforted.