Massive earthquakes, category five hurricanes and tornadoes, extensive wildfires, rivers flooding way beyond their banks. These are some of nature’s fury. Then we have the destruction and death caused by wars, crime-ridden cities where people are afraid to even leave their homes, economic collapses causing great depressions, loss of jobs, and hunger. These are disasters caused by man. Either one can bring us to our knees in fear and despair. Where can we turn for sure help when these events happen in our world? Where can we go for refuge when we see such an event looming in the near future? Our psalm for today gives us the answer.
Every so often we hear of some disaster that has happened somewhere on the globe. You wake up and are browsing the news headlines and read of a strong, possibly massive earthquake somewhere. There are hurricane warnings throughout the summer and early fall in the Caribbean and eastern coast of North America. Wildfires throughout western North America. You read of torrential rains that bring flooding rivers around the world, and read of ongoing war and death in various parts of the world. There is so much trouble everywhere! Is there any place we can turn to for help? The Sons of Korah, the author of today’s psalm, had the answer. The very first sentence of our psalm tells us - “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
There are some religious beliefs that hold that God is a distant God who does not get involved in the lives of mankind. Whatever happens here on earth happens, and He just sits out there in the universe, impassively observing everything that happens. That is not the truth, as we read in nearly every page of the Bible. God is near, and is our Protector. He is intimately involved in our life. Even if the earth shakes or the mountains fall, we do not need to fear (vs. 1-3).
The psalmist then gives a picture of a river that flows through the City of God (vs. 4-6). This is not a raging river which is overflowing its banks and flooding everyone out of their homes. Instead, this is a calm, peaceful river, prophetically pointing to the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:1), which symbolizes life, peace, and divine provision. As we read throughout the Bible, God dwells with His people, not as an uninvolved deity out somewhere in the universe.
When the “nations rage” (vs. 6), and there are wars and political upheavals, we can turn to the Lord as our refuge. People question where God is in all of this. He is right there in the midst. He is not passive. God will actively judge all nations and will bring peace, if not soon, then definitely when Jesus returns (vs. 8-9).
The psalm continues with the Lord telling us to be still and trust in Him, knowing that He is God, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-caring (vs. 10). Practice being silent in God’s presence. Not with New Age meditating practices of emptying the mind of thoughts and connecting with one's “inner self”, which can allow demonic powers to enter, but instead with quiet reflection on Jesus and His Word. God wants us to be quiet, stop arguing or crying, and listen to what He has to say. Let Jesus calm your mind and heart. Like Jesus told the storm and waves to be quiet and be still (Mark 4:39), He tells us, as well.
When we hear about volcanoes and earthquakes, remember that God is in control. He is always in control. God is our refuge, a safe place to hide. He is a refuge when war breaks or terrorists attack. He is our help when the bridge falls, the tunnel caves in, or the plane crashes. The Lord, who sent His Son to save us, is not going to leave us or forsake us. He will always, because of the Savior’s sacrifice, do what is right and best for us.
As we look back over Psalm 46, we are reassured that God is both near and involved in our life. Nothing that happens on earth ever takes Him by surprise, as He rules over nature and nations. When anything happens, we can trust in Jesus, and take refuge in Him. Jesus is a fortress for His people. We can have faith and confidence in God that whatever happens in our life, He is in the midst of it all.
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