day 274: Psalm 46- God is our Help

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 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 her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
 
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations 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 chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
 
Meditation
God’s word orients our hearts through graceful redirection. God alone is our help and today’s Psalm is an invitation to redirect the source of our courage, to be still in the storms of life and know He is God (10).
 
The psalmist is direct- “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.” (1) Martin Luther used this line as a launching point for his hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.” We need it to relaunch our courage in God.
 
God’s strength is stronger than anything in all creation (1-3), His help is mighty enough to rescue a city from any attackers (4-7), and His presence is powerful enough to bring peace to a world at war (8-11).  The earth and mountains will “move” (2) but God shall not be moved (5). 
 
We must not fear (2) because God is near to us in every circumstance. God is in the midst of the shaking city (5). He is the Lord of hosts, Lord over earthly and heavenly armies. God is with us and He is our fortress (7, 11).
 
God is using our current situation for His goal of making His name great among the nations! And He makes an invitation- come and see the works of the Lord (8). Refuge and relief are found when we remove our focus from the storm and look to God alone as our fortress, seeing Him and His works, being still and knowing He is God.  
 
Richly Dwelling
-Which description of God is most inviting- refuge, strength, help, or the Lord of hosts? Why?
 
-Which description of crisis, if any, can you most identify with at this time?
 
-How can you “be still” and “see” the works of the Lord, and know He is God? Stop. Be still. See His works- He is making His name great among the nations!
 
Key Verse
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear …”