Category: Psalm 46

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!”

We continue our exploration of the psalms with Psalm 46. This song was written to be sung by women for the descendants of Korah. In college I sang a version of this song, and I can attest to the fact that there is something powerful about soprano voices declaring these words.

These verses feel like fighting verses. A sort of spiritual, “Do you want to challenge the God of Israel? Do you want to threaten his people?” There is a sense that we refuse to be intimidated by all of the enemy’s schemes. Satan is called the god of this world, and he has real power over things like the weather. He can bring about destruction through earthquakes and fierce storms. Here the psalmist says on our behalf, “Go ahead… Give us your best shot. We’re not backing down!”

Here’s your freedom for today: when Satan picks a fight with God’s people, he picks a fight with God. We have a role in opposing Satan, but his real conqueror is Jesus. Too often we think individually about the battles we face, but if we think about the world as a whole we see more clearly the spiritual battle of good versus evil playing out. You are caught in a war, but the only portion you can fight is the battle right around you. Don’t be afraid and do not back down, but also remember that this war is God’s to win and he has already overcome.

 

“A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.”

Revelation 22 has been one of my favorite Bible passages in the past year. It describes God’s coming kingdom, and it tells of a river flowing through the center of the city. Along the river, fruit trees grow. These are no ordinary trees — they contain medicine that will heal the nations. Today’s passage in Psalm 46 also tells about this river, running through a city that cannot be destroyed. It is a picture of a world where I would like to live.

These verses convey a world of chaos: kingdoms collapsing, the melting of earth. We are currently waiting for God to come in full force to defend his world and his people, ravaged by evil for too long. But God is not a destroyer, he is a healer. His river will restore the nations in chaos. The melting of the earth will be more like a refining than a terrorizing destruction. God’s river will heal the brokenness of our world and his new heaven and new earth will be a place we can thrive.

Here’s your freedom for today: God’s healing work is beyond your imagination. We have a lot of theories about heaven or the end days. Some of it comes from biblical passages, some is purely imagined. We do not know how God will restore, we simply know he will. We do not understand God’s new heaven and new earth, we only know that he is in the process of making them. If your heart is crying out for healing today, imagine yourself sitting by his river. Take a drink and let its supernatural medicine work its way deep into your soul. Then let go of this image, realizing that God’s healing work is even greater than anything you can imagine.

“Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. ‘Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.’ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.”

This psalm ends with an invitation: “Come, see the glorious works of the Lord…” And what are these glorious works? Destruction upon the world. Wait, what? I have made the case in previous posts that God restores and heals and Satan destroys. Suddenly the Bible is making the statement that the glorious works of God are destructive. How can this be?

Let’s look at what God is in the business of destroying. “He causes war to end.” Seems like he is ripping apart the weaponry. We often quote, “Be still, and know that I am God” as a warm and fuzzy sentiment. Yet here in context we see that God is coming in force and power, telling the world powers to be still and understand who is really in charge. “You think your military might is so great? Wars and warmongers — be still. Come to an end. Bow to me here and now.”

Here’s your freedom for today: God destroys destruction. If you are tired of the suffering and tragedy and horrible news flashing on screens around you, then you are joining with God’s view. He is planning a dramatic end to wars and world powers. Anyone who thinks they can rely on themselves will watch their weapons melt before their eyes. If you have been impacted by disorder, disease or chaos, God has promised to bring justice to your cause. It is our only hope.