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. — Psalm 46: vv 1 – 3 (ESV)
In the past couple years this psalm has become important for me. And I’m sure that many of you reading this will come to the same conclusion as you consider your own past few years.
We’ve come through a lot these past years and it’s still uncertain what’s in store for us. We’ve seen financial markets collapse, homes foreclosures and unemployment in record numbers, plus wars and terrorism seeming to go on unending. In our own lives many of us have dealt with personal tragedies from family loss and illness. For many of us it seems as though the waters roar and foam.
Just as it appeared to Martin Luther when the Reformation was going on, at that time it seemed that everything was coming apart and there was an uncertain future. This psalm since its first utterance has been a word of comfort. For Luther it was enough to inspire him to write the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.”
But this psalm doesn’t focus on the disasters that befall us. It points to something else. It directs our attention to the security found in God’s promises. God has always promised salvation from when our ancient parents transgressed against Him. Instead of leaving them without hope He promised a savior. That promise is fulfilled in Jesus who died and rose again for the atonement of our sins. It’s the same promise that we have. That solid rock foundation that our sins our forgiven; there’s life, eternal.
Thanksgiving is this month and as you give thanks consider this great gift we have. That despite unknown certainties we can be sure that God’s promises are the one certainty we have that we have and with the psalmist we can say:
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.– Psalm 46: vv 5-7 (ESV)
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