Our God Stands with Us
By Scott Jones
In ENGAGE - Stand on the Word , I discussed the importance of standing on the word of God in public affairs.
Although we may be confident that the word of God is absolute truth, it can still be a lonely task to speak the truth to a society that has embraced postmodernism and has thus abandoned any notion of truth.
This is indeed a daunting task, since those that hate the truth find people that speak the truth “hateful”. But that is what we are called to do – to tell the world about the God that created them, loves them, and wants them to enjoy eternal life with Him. It is hard to oppose the world, but we are not alone. God is there to protect us.
Psalm 46 expresses this beautifully. God (alone) is the refuge of His people – He is the One who helps us in trouble. He is the one that provides the strength to endure whatever we face.
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.[i]
Because of this, we need not fear – no matter what happens, even if the earth itself changes. Even if there is noise, confusion, natural disaster, and chaos around us.
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. Selah.[ii]
The Psalmist tells us we shall fear neither natural disasters, nor men. Even if the nations make an uproar, even if the kingdoms of the earth totter:
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.[iii]
God is the One who bring desolation. He is the One who makes wars cease. The power and might of the nations are nothing compared to the God of Jacob.
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.[iv]
We can relax from our anxiety. We can cease striving to overcome the circumstances we face. We gaze upon the face of God and behold our Savior, our refuge, our strength, our stronghold; the One who created the mountains and the seas; the One who brings peace to men. Praise Him – the Lord of Hosts, the God of Jacob. He is the One to whom the nations will one day bow down.
“Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”[v]
So, we can stand fearlessly on the word of God.
Joshua writes: This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night… Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”[vi]
We must hold fast to the Bible, the inspired word of God, and we must be strong and courageous.
Through Isaiah, God tells us not to fear:
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.[vii]
The Lord of Hosts, the God of Jacob, is with us wherever we go, strengthening us, helping us, and upholding us with His righteous right hand. So, we can be steadfast, trusting the Lord, our Rock:
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.
Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.[viii]
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul repeatedly admonishes believers to stand firm:
· In the faith[ix]
· In freedom[x]
· Against the schemes of the devil[xi]
· In one spirit[xii]
· In the Lord[xiii]
· In what you have been taught[xiv]
Because we serve the Lord of Hosts, the God of Jacob we can indeed stand firmly, fearless, steadfast in the face of those opposed to the Bible, with courage and faith. For we know who it is that stands with us against nature, man, and the devil himself:
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.[xv]
Indeed – Selah.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org
[i] Psalm 46:1
[ii] Psalm 46:2-3
[iii] Psalm 46:7
[iv] Psalm 46:9
[v] Psalm 46:10
[vi] Joshua 1:8-9
[vii] Isaiah 41:10
[viii] Isaiah 26:3-4
[ix] 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 1:24
[x] Galatians 5:1
[xi] Ephesians 6:11ff
[xii] Philippians 1:27
[xiii] Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:8
[xiv] 2 Thessalonians 2:15
[xv] Psalm 46:11