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, the kingdoms totter; 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. Selah
Psalm 46 – To the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song.
Wow. How rich is Psalm 46? Take a moment and read it again. Oh what a comfort to know that the God of all nations is our mighty fortress and our God! We can look to Him for refuge – He is ever present.
Wow.
How often do we read this Psalm (or other passages of Scripture like it) and marvel at the greatness of our God yet in time of trouble we become discontent, and often grumble and complain?
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. The Psalmist says that, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man,” (Psalm 118:8). Oh friend, this is the truth. When trouble comes into 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 the gift of godly counsel, wisdom, and friendship. And it is often so sweet. We must utilize the people He has blessed us with because He can use our godly friends and family to call out sin in our lives, to encourage us and to be the lifter of our heads in time of trial and sorrow. 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
Here is the sweetest news: as adopted heirs of the King of kings, we serve a Lord who is sufficient in and of Himself to bring us through times of trial, temptation, pain and struggle. Throughout Psalm 46 we see the Psalmist proclaim that God is our refuge and strength, our only ever present help in trouble. He has gone before us and He will bring us safely through. It is in Him that we find our hope. Unlike our friends and family, Christ will never fail us, leave us or forsake us.
Now, lets take a look at Psalm 46:6, “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. He is always there and (though often quietly) is working all things for the salvation of His people and His great glory.
“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 today to worship God in the splendor of His holiness, worthiness and greatness. In the stillness and in the quiet, let us remember the truths of Psalm 46, that the Lord has gone before us in our pain and sufferings and He will surely bring us safely through to the other side. He is our only hiding place, a solid fortress. He is faithful in His promises to the nations and He will surely be faithful to you too. He is always with us – yesterday, now and forever.