The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Nahum 1:7 ESV

Today’s verse comes from a small book in the Old Testament, one of the Minor Prophets and if I’m being completely honest I’d never heard of it until today. This speaks more about my need to read more of my bible than I care to admit. Reading the verse of the day today I was taken back to last week when I had a really, really dark day.

As I was beginning to pull my head out of the muck I was able to see that what was pulling me out wasn’t a thing or person but the Word of God. Now, that’s not to say that God won’t use people to help pick us up. Scripture is clear about the benefit of wise and Godly counsel. But sometimes we can become dependent on people or things as opposed to the true sustainer of everything.

I have been guilty of turning to food, games, television, and other vices to help dull the pain in times of trouble. Anything that takes the place of God is an idol and will, in the end, fall far short of what we really need. In times of trouble, we don’t need a temporary shelter like a leaky tent in the rainy woods. We need a strong tower, a refuge to shelter us from the storm. Beyond that, we need someone in that stronghold that knows our needs, understands our fears, and has the strength to speak to the storm and say “Peace” and it obeys.

That someone is the Lord God, and He is good.