Grace Lutheran Church Weekly Devotion - Psalm 46 (ESV)
Psalm 46 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength,* a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,* though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3though its waters roar and foam,* though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,* the holy habitation of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;* God will help her when morning dawns.
6The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;* he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7The Lord of hosts is with us;* the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8Come, behold the works of the Lord,* how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9He 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!”
11The Lord of hosts is with us;* the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46 recognizes the troubles people face while reminding all who read it that God, the Lord of Hosts, is our refuge and a mighty fortress. Early on, the inspired psalmist focused on the fears that natural disasters produce. Today, reports of natural disasters seem to come in from all over the world. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, floods, mudslides, drought, and wildfires continue to rock our planet. As Christians it is easy to say we will not fear, but since we have a sinful nature, we have doubts that cause us to fear the turmoil of the natural world.
Beside the natural disasters we face in this sinful world, the man against man attacks cause more pain, anxiety, and fear than natural disasters. The raging and tottering (cf. verse 6) are not only in countries far away, but they are in our own cities as well. There are murders, thefts, sexual sins, abortions, and acts of greed. There are violent protests against the foundations of what is good and right. These sins cause daily despair and fear in our lives.
The devil attacks us every day by trying to first remove God from the world and then by providing false gods. Yet amid the turmoil caused by the devil, his demons, and evil people, the inspired psalmist refocuses our eyes to the proper place: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (7). Sure, nations rage bringing evil, despair, and death to God’s creation. Yes, the world seems to be in chaos. Natural disasters, wars and rumors of wars, protests and violence, and every kind of sin afflict hundreds of thousands of people. Yet in Psalm 46, the Holy Spirit reminds us that no matter how crazy things seem, God stands above it all. He promises you comfort and safety amid evil. We find this safety in Jesus! Apart from Christ there is only death, fear, suffering, and the works of the devil. The good news is that all the raging powers cannot stand against the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and your Baptism connects you to Christ. “The Lord of hosts” will put an end to these evils on the day of Jesus’ glorious return. “He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire” (9).
825 North 1st West
Cheyenne Wells, CO, 80810-0728
Sunday Service begins at 9:00AM
