A VERY PRESENT HELP...:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed" (Psa 46:1,2).

We have three great blessings when we live in the presence of God:

1. The Lord becomes our refuge. The Name of the Lord is a high tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. (Prov 18:10). In the Old Testament time there were cities of refuge. These cities of refuge represent Christ, as we can always run to Him when we are in trouble.

2. The Lord is our strength. In times of trials and troubles, we may become extremely weak both spiritually and physically, but if we are living in the presence of God the Lord will give us strength to emerge victorious.

3. In our trouble, the Lord will be a very present help. We may not immediately come out of the trouble but in the very trouble we will feel the holy presence of God - like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Although they were thrown into the fiery furnace, a fourth person was with them (which was a very present help in the time of trouble), and because of the fourth person (the Son of God), they suffered absolutely no harm. Not even a single hair was singed although the fire was sevenfold hot.

So when we live in the presence of God, we have absolutely nothing to fear even if the earth be removed. The earth being removed refers to earthly blessings being removed. We can lose our wealth, health, name, fame and maybe even our family members. (Did not Job lose all his ten children and almost all his possessions in one day?] But nothing can disturb us.

"I am walking with Jesus,
There's nothing now to fear,
There's none to me so dear.
I am walking with Jesus,
He wipeth every tear,
I am walking in the steps of Jesus."

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in "Morning Manna"