Divine Devotions

Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

As I reflect on some recent events in my life, I am faced with the fact that I must redefine the scripture found in Psalm 46:1 (God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.) A redefining is not needed because of any misrepresentation on God’s part as much as a lack of real understanding on my part.

Being somewhat familiar with usage of the English language, I am awed by the fact the psalmist states that God is a very present (adverb used to give emphasis to adjectives or adverbs that can be graded).

As we allow the taste buds of our memories to savor on the simplistic yet powerful words of this hymn penned in the ink of gratitude on the parchment of thanksgiving by John Newton in 1779. Let us begin by praying the word of a song:

Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I’m found
Was Blind But Now I See!

We are faced with the ugly reality that when we did not have our minds or hearts on God, He had his eyes on us and directed goodness and mercy to follow us all the days of our lives. So He has been with us all the time; in our septic tanks of sin, in our most degraded state, He's not has been, BUT is our Present Help in our time of need.

Let us now lift our hands in the most grateful praise possible! It really is AMAZING GRACE!