In an On the Horizon a few months ago my message was based on Psalm 46 verse 10: “Be still and know that I am God.”

My message today is based on Psalm 46 verse 1 and 2: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way.”

This whole Psalm is a powerful and comforting passage of scripture that speaks directly to our hearts.

It serves to remind us that God’s presence is constant and unshakeable, His strength is unfailing and His peace is everlasting, no matter what changes or challenges may come to us.

It is a Psalm of hope, written for moments of uncertainty and change.

But this Psalm begins with a resounding truth, God IS our refuge — our safe place to shelter when we feel overwhelmed, not just by what may be happening in our own lives but to those close to us or even what is happening overseas.

We are reminded that God is not distant or indifferent.

His strength doesn’t diminish, and He offers it to us freely.

In moments of weakness or weariness — when we are weak, He upholds us.

Most importantly, He is present — right here, right now, wherever we are.

Even if or when we feel forgotten by the world, we are never forgotten by God.

He is with us — always.

The hymn “Be still for the presence of the Lord” tells us that He is all around us in His glory and power.

“A very present help in trouble” means God is not far away.

He is with us right now, listening, comforting and sustaining us.

He walks with us through every step on our life’s journey.

Verse 2 says: “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way.”

Life can be very uncertain in many ways — ageing, health issues, losing loved ones or friends when we need to depend on others for help — but if God is our refuge then we don’t have to live in fear.

His presence and promises stand firm.

He holds our hands in His hands and will never let go.

A popular tune for the hymn ‘God is our strength and Refuge’ was written in 1970 by an English minister and the tune was The Dambuster’s March, which was the theme for the movie The Dambusters, which was originally composed in 1954.

Some years after the tune had been permitted to be used for the words of Psalm 46, the minister received a letter from a former RAF serviceman.

He had been a rear gunner in a Lancaster bomber during the war.

The gunner wrote he had been thrilled to hear the tune but even more so by by the “beautiful words of peace from the Scriptures”.

That popular tune made Psalm 46 also popular and we can pray that we all know God’s love and care and His Peace.

— Rosie Hunt, Kyabram Baptist Church

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Thursday, 1st January 2026

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