"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble

Ilse Kock

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Ps. 46:1, 2). These words from the Bible were confirmed when several years ago the need was great during the tidal-wave catastrophe on our North Sea coast. Day and night the storm had raged. We got no peace in the night so that I read unceasingly in the Bible, and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, in order to find peace in the raging storm. I relied on God's help and knew also that all Christian Scientists on the coast and many others would be turning to God in prayer. It was clear to me that the spirit of the Christ is mightier than all earthly raging. Jesus' words when he walked on the water and stilled the storm supported me. His words (Matt. 8:26) "Why are ye fearful. ...?" came to me again and again.

The storm continued to rage until the next morning. The dikes were damaged in many places, and it was feared they would give way and break. All men were called out to help on the dikes. Others said, "Only a miracle can save us here," or "Only God can still help."

I held fast to the truth that there is only one power, God, the creator of all good. By eleven o'clock in the morning the water had flowed into the town and the worst was feared in half an hour when high tide was reached. My immediate thought was, God will not allow that. He says (Job 38:11), "Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further." It was like an inspiration, and I felt great compassion for the people who had had to evacuate and leave everything. I had just said aloud the statement from Job, strongly convinced of it, when we suddenly noticed that it was becoming calmer outside. Later we learned that the water had stopped rising. There was no more spring tide, and the wind subsided.

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