APRIL 24, 2026-WAITING FOR PENTECOST #15 GOD REMAINS OUR REFUGE-WAIT FOR HIM!
Psalm 46: God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. 2 And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble!
4 There is a river of joy flowing through the city of our God—the sacred home of the God above all gods. 5 God himself is living in that city; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay his help. 6 The nations rant and rave in anger—but when God speaks, the earth melts in submission and kingdoms totter into ruin.
7 The Commander of the armies of heaven is here among us. He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us.
8 Come, see the glorious things that our God does, how he brings ruin upon the world 9 and causes wars to end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon. 10 “Stand silent! Know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation in the world!”
11 The Commander of the heavenly armies is here among us! He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us!
It’s not a scene I will forget readily. I had only been in our small village clinic a few months when the head of the church health services ordered me to stop paying a government health worker because she was failing to complete her tasks. As I prepared to preach at the morning devotions on the clinic verandah that morning, the female worker suddenly accosted me, screaming at me and attempting to intimidate me. Unbeknownst to her, she had picked on the wrong woman. I had trained previously in martial arts, and as this woman was screaming at me, I was sizing her up, considering what I might have to do in case she chose to attack me. Rather than moving away, I began moving closer, shocking the lady so much that she stopped screaming and left. (I never touched her.)
Meanwhile, patients and staff stood aghast looking at me. Obviously, I needed to preach a strong message of God’s protection, so I turned to Psalm 46.
God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. 2 And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble!
February 21, 2026, our Children’s Ward and NICU burned completely, forcing us to evacuate dozens of patients whom we then had to move to another ward. That day we certainly had to trust God as our refuge and strength as we watched expensive equipment, beds, linens, and all kinds of other supplies go up in smoke. Nearly two months on, we are continuing to struggle to create a new NICU, but God is helping us care for our patients.
4 There is a river of joy flowing through the city of our God—the sacred home of the God above all gods. 5 God himself is living in that city; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay his help.
As we struggle to care for patients in a crowded setting, we continue to take joy in the recovery of those for whom we are caring. We trust that God will help at the right time.
6 The nations rant and rave in anger—but when God speaks, the earth melts in submission and kingdoms totter into ruin.
7 The Commander of the armies of heaven is here among us. He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us.
8 Come, see the glorious things that our God does, how he brings ruin upon the world 9 and causes wars to end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon. 10 “Stand silent! Know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation in the world!”
11 The Commander of the heavenly armies is here among us! He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us!
As we continue to work, we are trusting that the Commander of the heavenly armies truly is here with us and that He has come to rescue us!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You even when things look grim. In the mighty and precious Name of King
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