Psalm 46

Psalm 46
"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." Let's just think about that! If we meditate on that alone for a while, it should calm us.

"So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!" Sometimes it feels as if our whole world is like a mountain crumbling into the sea. But God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Even if the world ends, we are not to fear. It's easy to say that because we don't really believe the world is about to end, but what if you were one of those people in California yesterday huddling in some closet while the gunmen went on their rampage? It would be terrifying indeed and very difficult to remember that God is there, but this psalm reminds us that He is.

In contrast to the tumultuous troubles mentioned in vv. 1-3, we are shown the serenity of a river in v. 4. This is a symbol for God who has not left us and who sustains us at all times. His Spirit is an endless flow of calm strength. He dwells among us. "The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress." v. 7 God is stronger than any enemy, and wars end at His command.

And so with this in mind, "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress."

Here are three phrases to think about in the coming hours and days, "God is our refuse and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble...Be still, and know that I am God!"