Our Refuge and Strength

“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress, Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.” Psalm 46:2-3

I was talking to a friend a few days ago and she said that sometimes she felt hopeless, not with her own personal situation but with what is happening around her. I told her I totally understood. It can seem that the world is hurtling towards disaster. Here in our own country we are so divided, I cannot comprehend how we continue to shortchange ourselves in voting for almost the worst leaders possible. In the world stage, the Middle East is a powder keg, and Europe is losing its moral compass. So so sad. This terrible state of affairs can't help but color my prayer time. So many people are distressed and discouraged, and wondering how we got here. 

I enjoyed reading "Fervent", written by Priscilla Shirer, a preacher I always learn from. She also acted in the movie "War Room", which is about strategic prayer. In one of the front pages of her book, this caught me, a passage from "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers":

Theoden: “I will not risk open war.”

Aragon: “Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not."

In page 2, I read and paraphrased this to fit my need: "A very real enemy has been strategizing and scheming against you, assaulting you, coming after your emotions, your mind, your future, your country. In fact, he's doing it right this second. Right where you're sitting. But I say his reign of terror stops here. Stops now. He might keep coming, but he won't have victory anymore. Because it all starts failing when we start praying." 

Yes, Lord, You are our strength and our courage. It doesn't matter what our world is embroiled in. In spite of what is happening, You are still on the throne, and You are in control, and like it says in Prov. 31:25, I can laugh at the days to come, because You will work things for our good.