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It’s been said that adversity will either drive you toward God or away from God.  If we look to God during our time of loss and confusion the words of Psalm 46:1-3 bring comfort and perspective:

 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.         

In spite of the turmoil going on around him, the Psalmist made a bold declaration that God was his refuge – his shelter – his place of safety.  He keeps his focus upon God in verses 4-7:

 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns

The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.

The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

These words are just as appropriate today as when they were written approximately 3,000 years ago.  The word “Selah” is Hebrew word denoting a reflective pause or possibly a musical interlude to reflect upon the words of the Psalm.  Believe that God is your stronghold!  What are the implications of that fact for your life?  Verses 8-11 tells us how to make God our refuge:

 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth.

He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.

Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

As you reflect back on September 11, 2001, what have you learned?  Our naiveté has been replaced with the sobering reality that we live in a fallen world.  The Psalmist realized this fact but he also had hope.  Have you learned that although we live in a fallen and dangerous world we do not need to be fearful or despairing?  We can live with confidence knowing that God is our refuge and our stronghold.