The song “Refuge and Strength” echoes what is both the simplest and most difficult aspect of living a life directed by faith. The lyrics taken from Psalm 46:1, 56:3 may be familiar: “God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” For the believer these are what you could call ‘reminder verses’. Similarly, in Isaiah 30:15, we find “In returning and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” And again in the Today’s English Version it translates it, “Come back and quietly trust in me, then you will be strong and secure.”

The commentary in the Renovare’ Spiritual Formation Bible interprets this verse in Isaiah by saying; “The assurance of faith is the conviction that anxious self-securing does not work in the real world. The phrase “returning and rest” is an affirmation that faith is quiet confidence, which is essential for being secure and at peace in the world.”

This could not be any clearer—when struggle comes and reality hits hard, we need a persistent prompt pointing us back to the plain fact of who God is and what he provides. “Refuge and Strength” is like a believer’s lullaby. When we’re feeling anxious, fearful, and lack confidence at the end of a particularly tough day; we can recall what the Psalmist has conveyed and find rest and renewal in God’s promise once again.

(You can access “Refuge and Strength” here.)

SW