UNSHAKEABLE!

Psalm 46

V.1 -  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

I love the words that open this particular Psalm. The idea that God is not just our "help" during times of trouble, but that he is a "present" help. He is there, up close and personal in the affairs and situations that come to us. When we are overwhelmed by the circumstances of the day, God is very much present. He is not standing off at a distance.
He is not inconsiderate of our emotions or feelings.
He is a VERY present help in trouble.

V.2 - Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.

Here we are given understanding of the stability of God's nature and character. God has been defined as a "Very Present Help in times of trouble" and now the Psalmist describes the worst possible scenario's that could happen. Even with total destruction of the planet, God is not going to desert us.
He opens verse two with very familiar words....."Therefore, we will not fear."
Fear is very much a human condition that we all experience. Fear comes when we feel as though things are out of control and we have no answers or solutions to what we are facing.

When God tell us to not fear, he is stating a wonderful truth about his nature.

What is that truth?
TRUST ME!

No matter what it looks like in your life...TRUST ME!

V. 3 - Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

These events written here in Psalm 46 are the very basis Martin Luther used to pen his wonderful hymn  "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

Since the mountains and the earth are regarded by men as symbols of stability, when they "dance" and move great terror and fear normally rises up in the hearts of mankind. But when the most stable becomes unstable, there should be "no fear" because of the stability of God.

V. 4 - There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High.

Don't you find it strange that the Bible bookends itself with rivers flowing from the  most wonderful of places?

Gen. 2:10 speaks of the rivers flowing from the Garden of Eden, while Rev. 22:1-2 speaks of the rivers that flow in heaven from the throne of God.
Jesus spoke to the Samaritan women in John 4 about rivers of living water that would spring up to eternal life.
I need to keep my focus on the eternal promises and nature of God.
Not on the shifting, man-driven, events of this day.
Even with all the trouble....
All the ugly, selfish things going on in this world....
The stability and help of God surpasses everything.
Think on these things.
let your mind dwell above and not be mired down and loaded down with burdens and guilt by the mess of life here on this planet.

I wish to close today's posting with the last two verses of Psalm 46.

V.10 - Cease striving and  know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

V.11 -  The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

May God richly bless you today.

He is there for you...
He is there with you....
Rest in this truth.

God on you....

mb