Strength. Safety.

As long as God occupies the first place in our lives, just as he occupies the first place in Psalm 46, both strength and safety will be ours in abundance.

With the variety of troubles life often presents, there are many places people turn to in times of torment. You might phone a friend, escape to the country, hide away in a bunker, or seek refuge in a bottle. Some of these things are helpful, and some are clearly harmful.

But no place is safer, and no place is more certain, than God. He is powerful and protective. He fights for us and builds fences around us. He lavishes us with hope and helps us to see that there is always a tomorrow with him.

He is always there, ever-present. Never is he not. The doors to his heavenly care are always open, even to the most wayward and stubborn of sinners.  He loves to welcome newcomers in, he loves to welcome rebels back.

No matter what trouble we find ourselves in, we can be assured that God will always be there to welcome us home.