Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountain be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah
Psalm 81:1,6-7 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob...I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
PROVE: Demonstrate the truth or existence of (something) by evidence or argument
AT THE WATERS OF MERIBAH...Through research I found that the Biblical text mentions two very similar episodes that both occur at a place named Meribah. The episode recounted by the Book of Exodus features the Israelites quarreling with Moses about the lack of water, and Moses rebuking the Israelites for testing God; the text states that it was on this account that the place gained the name Massah, meaning testing, and the name Meribah, meaning quarreling. In Exodus we can read about the account of the Israelites thirst and how they grumbled against Moses, so Moses in fear for his life, appeals to God and God tells Moses to walk ahead of the others, and strike the rock at Horeb with his rod. When Moses does this, it causes the rock to expel water.
God is our refuge and strength. He is a very present help. In times of trouble He does not run away. God has proven Himself to His children...over...and over...and over again. Even in times when we are at war within our self, quarreling, grumbling, complaining about what concerns us, God is ever present and just waiting for us to stop for a moment and seek His guidance. And, for me, this quote sums it all up...
But God has promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, Light for the way, Grace for the trials, Help from above, Unfailing sympathy, Undying love. ~Annie Johnson Flint
