Wednesday, October 29
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar; the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice; the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations;
I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
“… 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, …”
Fear is an excellent and effective motivator. Politicians, pundits, and media influencers employ it every day. It’s hard to even look at the news or social media without coming face to face with programs, information, and content designed specifically to engender fear. To put it bluntly, it’s presence in our national debate is scary.
The psalmist turns us in another direction. Because God is our strength and refuge, we do not need to live in fear. Even though the earth be moved, the waters rage and foam, the mountains topple into the sea, or the world goes to hell in a handbasket, we need not be afraid. That is because God is for us. God is with us. God is our strength, our fortress, and our refuge.
It’s hard to imagine a scarier time than the present. Yet, history tells of tyranny, violence, epidemic, depression, and open warfare that makes our current situation in the United States seem trivial. However, each generation faces its own challenges; and those challenges can create and be fueled by fear.
Hearing the psalmist, then, is critical to our daily lives. Knowing that the Lord of hosts is with us, that the God is Jacob is our refuge, that Jesus promised to be with us always, that the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon us brings peace, hope, and life even amidst the challenges of this and any day.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your abiding presence in my life and in the world. Cast out my fear. Replace it with hope, peace, and joy. Amen.