God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. — Psalm 46:1
There is a lot of discussion about government help in our day. We hear a lot of people say the government should be doing more to help in the COVID pandemic. We have heard about the government needing to help the economy or even help in other aspects of life.
Near the end of the year, we often hear a lot of discussions about helping charity or special groups. There is nothing wrong with helping others in these situations. But just like the government example described above, the help that is being offered is similar.
That is, it is after the need is experienced. If the government steps in to help, it’s always after the situation has happened or the negative experience has been had. For the charity and other help, it’s after the hardship has already been experienced that help is provided.
With God, the situation is a bit different. While he provides refuge and help after the situation, Psalm 46 tells us that He is a ‘very present help.’ That is more than just being a help after the situation, but continually throughout the situation.
Time and again God has proven that He is more than just any other help in our needs. He is there for us before we need, during the need, and after the need. No one can match that.
He knows what we face before we face it. He knows what we will need to make it through. He knows what support we need after it is over. No government can do that. No charity can do that. No friend can do that either.
There is no one that can match the help that God provides for us.