redeemedson

Danielle and I received a terrible phone call late last night notifying us that one of Danielle’s friends from college died earlier in the evening. Our hearts were filled with deep sorrow and our eyes shed many tears for the loss and also for the husband and two small children grieving at this moment. The Lord was good in bringing the firm foundation of His word to us in the midst of the pain. I pray that this will be an encouragement to you as it was to us either in your current trouble or in preparation for the inevitable suffering that will one day come to you in the natural course of life. Psalm 46 is a comforting text during times such as these as well as How Firm a Foundation (notice verses three and six copied below).

Psalm 46
God Is Our Fortress
1God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!"

11 The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

How Firm a Foundation
1. How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can He say than to you He has said,

To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

3. When through the deep waters I call you to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;

For I will be with you, your troubles to bless,

And sanctify to you your deepest distress.

4. When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply;

The flame shall not hurt you; I only design

Your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.

6. The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

May the God of grace comfort us in His steadfast love during such trials. As believers, we grieve as those with tremendous hope and not like those “who have no hope” (1 Thess 4:13). Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, death has lost its sting for the believer (1 Cor 15:55). God is good and in control of all things. This truth is our comfort and hope in the midst of death itself.