“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging… He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields with fires. He says “Be still, and know the I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:1-3, 9-10 NIV)
Today’s scripture reminds me of the text in the 1 Kings 19 that we honed in on a few days ago. Remember? The prophet, Elijah, was wore out, afraid and he had questions. So the Lord called him up on the mountain and while he clung to a cave, the wind came: wind so powerful it shattered rocks. Then the earth quaked. Then finally the fire raged. And yet the Lord was not within any of those ‘acts of God’. Instead, He was in the still, small voice that followed.
Yet here, in Psalm 46, we find similar acts of God: mountains falling into the sea, oceans churning, and fires burning as the world wages wars against itself. And the Almighty’s instructions amidst all the chaos and calamity? “Be still and know that I am God.” He assures us: climb into the refuge of His presence and know Him as Lord of all.
The conflict on the other side of the world is concerning, even consuming. My sixth graders, who are generally clueless, have started asking me, “Ms. Thor, are we going to war?” How comforting Psalm 46:10 is, the very verse that the Lord gave me for 2022. We are all quite familiar with the first half of this scripture, but the second prat feels particularly poignant in the light of current events.
“I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10b NIV)
Even amidst all the upheaval, military posturing, sanctions and global concern, God reigns. We can still ourselves and hear His whisper above the din of humanity and it’s terror. He is God. He will be exalted among the nations and in the earth. The last scripture of this psalm gives us further instruction.
“The Lord Almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:11 NIV)
Friend, fortresses don’t do us a bit of good unless we climb inside them. The world is warring but we find peace to be a Person who has invited us into Himself amidst this mess of humanity. Don’t pass up His limited-time offer. Make your way today into the refuge of His presence.
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower, the righteous run into it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10 NIV)
Lord, the world is scary again. Powerful people have forsaken You and are wielding their divinely-bequeathed authority against others and without regard for Your sovereignty. May we not repeat their folly. Today we are straining for Your still, small voice. Today we are aware of the refuge You offer. Scripture assures us: the righteous run into it and are saved. May we confess our need and climb into the fortress of Your presence. Amen.