THE PSALMS – A JOURNEY IN WORSHIP AND FAITH - September 13, 2014 – Day 46 - Psalm 46

“Be still and know that I am God” was one of the first scriptures I ever memorized. Sometimes that simple message from God is all I need to get through a difficult event. But why can we trust in that one sentence? Psalm 46 explains.

Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

The word scripture uses here we translate as trouble actually means “in tight places.” We can all relate to that. Between a rock and a hard place is another way to put it. When things look impossible and there it seems there is no way out is when God does His greatest work. Jesus said it Himself in Matthew 19:26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." All things, my friends, all things are possible with God. We simply must trust in God and make Him our refuge. The word used for refuge means “a place to go quietly for protection.

Psalm 46 has a historical background that involves the story of the powerful Assyrian Army which had besieged Jerusalem. It looked hopeless. They Jews were in a “tight spot”. But do you know what God did? God sent the Angel of the Lord who killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. The city went to sleep surrounded by a massive army and woke up to an enemy of corpses. Yes, nothing is impossible with God.

Psalm 46:4-7
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Jesus spoke the world into existence and He can heal with just His word. He is the “river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.” God has sent us His son and He is the well of living water. Jesus said in John 7:37-38, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' "

Jesus is the Lord of Hosts and He lives within us.

This psalm speaks of the past, present, and the future. In the past he the writer of this psalm saw God dissolve the Assyrian Army. In the present Jesus is with us and has placed His Holy Spirit within our hearts to help us defeat the attacks of our enemy Satan who seeks to destroy us. In the future Jesus will return and destroy all the armies of the world that war against Him and His church at the Battle of Armageddon.

Psalm 46:8-9
Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.

So yes when the battle rages, when the enemy besieges us, when the situation seems without hope, we can stop and quietly rest in Jesus, for He is God. He can and will deliver us. So we exalt Him with praise and thanksgiving.

Psalm 46:10-11
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Be still, know He is God. He is our fortress. Hide yourself in Him. Amen.