The Lord of hosts is with us

"God is our refuge and our strength,

an ever-present help in distress.

Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea,

Though its waters rage and foam

and mountains totter at its surging."  (Psalm 46: 2 - 4)

Psalm 46 is one of my favorite.  It is loaded with juicy promises.  Verses 2 - 4 is what I call crème de la crème of the Psalter.  Just consider the promises: 

When we are on the run from any distress, God is the Rock of Refuge to dash to.  When we are weak and exhausted by constant fighting in the family, pressure at work, debt, etc, God provides the strength to sustain us.

God is our present help in distress.  Note carefully the promise.  It is not - God is our future help in future crisis.  God provides His help here and now.  There is an immediacy to this promise.  Two days ago, I had a walk out in my favorite park.  At one moment, I wanted to exit the park to take a different route.  The edges of the ground were covered by ankle high grasses.  It was until I turned the corner that I saw a foot path.  Sometimes, God keeps us in suspense until the last moment.

Verses 3 and 4 state the perennial truth:  If God is in control, why worry.  He provides step by step guidance and moment to moment protection. If God is with me, it is accomplished.

These scriptures verses have ministered to my spirit today. I hope they minister to you too.