Psalm 46
Scriptures to Study:
Psalm 46, 1 Peter 4:12, Psalm 118:8, Exodus 14:14, Psalm 59:16-17
To the Choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage [roar], the kingdoms totter [shake]; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (Psalm 46)
Just take a moment and read the above Psalm one more time. Isn't it so insanely rich? The God of ALL nations from the beginning of time is our refuge and strength. We must be still and KNOW that He is God.
Wow.
How easy is it to read that and be so in awe of our God one moment, but then when trouble plaques our life the next moment and turns our world upside down, how often of times do we run and seek comfort in things that will fail us?
1 Peter 4:12 says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." As believers, God promises that trouble will strike His people. We cannot be surprised when it happens but instead, be prepared to know how to act in response.
It is better to retreat to God as our ultimate fortress than to turn to man for strength. It is written in Psalm 118:8, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." How true is this? When trouble comes in my life, I often turn to the people closest to me for immediate comfort and advice. Do not hear me wrong, the Lord has given us Christian counsel, wisdom, and friendship for a reason. We must utilize the people He has blessed us with because He can use our godly friends and family in mighty ways. However, because we are all sinners and live in a fallen world, those around us will fail us often. We cannot rely on them as our sole refuge in times of trial.
Charles Spurgeon in his book "Morning and Evening" writes, "Is God not enough for your need, or is His all-sufficiency too narrow for your wants? Do you need another to watch for you when you have Him who sees every secret thing? Is His heart faint? Is His arm weary? If so, seek another God; but if He is infinite, omnipotent, faithful, true, and all-wise, why do you run around seeking another confidence? Why do you scour the earth to find another foundation when this is strong enough to bear all the weight that you can ever build on it? Christian, do not mix your wine with water; do not tarnish the gold of faith with the dross[rubbish] of human confidence. Wait only upon God, and let your expectation be from Him. Do not covet Jonah's gourd, but rest in Jonah's God. Let the sandy, shaky foundations be the choice of fools; but you, like one who sees the approaching storm, build for yourself an abiding place upon the Rock of Ages."
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)
The most precious news is that as adopted sons and daughters of the King, we serve a God that is sufficient to bring us through times of trial, temptation, pain, and struggle. We see in the entirety of Psalm 46 that God is our refuge and strength, He truly is our only present help in trouble. He has gone before us and in Him, we find our hope. He will never fail us, leave us, or forsake us. Let's also look at Psalm 46:6 that says, "The nations rage [roar], the kingdoms totter [shake]; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." This passage shows us that whatever it is, whether our world is shattering from causes of nature, or from the problems of our sinful nations, God is our only true fortress.
"Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46:8-11
Let us take time to come today to the throne of grace and revel in these glorious truths and in His wondrous works. In the stillness and in the quiet, let's allow these truths to soak deep into our hearts, so that we may know and rest in the fact that He has gone before us in our pain and sufferings, He is our only hiding place + solid fortress, and He is faithful in His promises to the nations. Hallelujah, He is with us to the end of the age!!
"But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely." (Psalm 59:16-17)
