Psalms 46

Question of the Day:   When was the last time you were genuinely frightened?  What were you frightened of?

This is a familiar Psalm.  Most of you probably memorized it in elementary school.  I would argue it may be one of the most familiar Psalms outside of the 23rd.  So familiar is good, we like familiar, right?  Yes, but familiar can also mean we gloss over it, think we know it, and fail to really dig in.  So here we go.  Let's unpack the 46th Psalm.

READ:  Psalms 46

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Verse 1: Refuge.  Have you ever needed refuge?

Where did you find it?

When I was in Ethiopia I remember the night we were camping and we were robbed.  I was out in a tent by myself.  I will never forget the feeling when I finally got in the car with the rest of my family.  The walls of the car, being surrounded by my family, all made me feel safe.  

What about today?

Do you need to find refuge?

"ever present"

Ever present, what does that mean?

Just yesterday I was having a conversation with someone who is going through a difficult time.  She mentioned that she has felt like God has been with her, but she isn't sure why.  She went on to say that she hasn't been particularly good at spending time with him, like she has in the past.  

I found that an interesting qualifier, or interesting that it was even a thought.  

Do we sometimes feel like his "presence" is based on our "presence" with Him?

Ever present, is such a beautiful thought to me.

Verse 2 and 3:  "Therefore I will not fear."  

This statement comes before a list of disasters, what is David saying here?

Fear:  Fear is normal, and we all experience it.  Perhaps since we all experience fear, we see it as acceptable, something we don't need to combat because after all, fear is natural.  

It is, yet there seems to be a reoccurring theme in the bible that we don't need to fear.

"Fear not..."

"....perfect love casts out fear..."

What are some other verses about fear?

Why?

Think about fear for a moment.  Fear can lead to:  lying, building walls and only thinking of self, war, hatred, insecurities, short circuit our ability to think clearly...

What have you seen fear lead to in your life?

Verses 4-7:  "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy place where the Most High dwells.  God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. "

Rivers bring life, water brings life to cites.  This is beautiful poetic language, about God's place, rich with life, water, a holy place.... 

Then in contrast, nations that are in an uproar.  (I don't care about your political affiliation, you have to admit this sounds way to familiar...)

Then, "He lifts His voice and the earth melts."

He is mighty.  We have nothing to fear.  Everything may be falling down around us, the country, our marriages, our jobs, our friendships, the weather, our finances.... No matter what is happening in your life, no matter how devastating.... He is almighty... He is ever present.... you have nothing to fear!

"The Lord Almighty is with us, He is our fortress!"

I love that word fortress.  How many of you liked building forts as children.  How is it possible that generation after generation, building forts is something that is always done. What is it about building forts.  

I can remember my kids building them in every room in the house, (yes even the kitchen) and outside too.  Forts perhaps their favorite past time.  

What are some of the common characteristics of a fort?

Forts in the military or forts in the living room?

Look up the definition.

One of my favorite definitions is:  "a place that is protected against attack"

When I read this it just made me sigh.  Can you imagine living day in and day out in a place that is protected against attack?

HE is our fortress!

Verse 8-9: continue to speak of His mighty power.  When we put our trust in Him, we aren't putting our faith in weakness, but in power and strength...

Verse 10:  BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!

We are all familiar with this passage!  When you read it what do you think?

How does reading it in context of the first part of this Psalm change it for you.  

I personally always put the attention on the first two words, "Be still."  Be still is a command, and spoken to me, so that was always my focus.

Reading it in context, I still can't ignore the "be still" but wow the last 6 words how important.  "and know that I am God."

He is the one and only.

God!

He is not "a" god.

He is God!

At His voice the earth melts.

And the God, is our fortress!

In this chapter most of it is about who He is.

I want you to notice that there are two commands to us and one result for us. 

The two commands are: 

1. "Come and see what the Lord has done."
2. "Be still and know that I am God."

The result, "Therefore we will not fear."

As we close this chapter, I want to challenge us to make a concerted effort this next week to do as we have been asked.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Journal each day on privately or publicly what the Lord has done in your life. This doesn't have to be long, just take the time to see what He is doing in your life.
2. Pray prayers that only include praising Him for what He has done in your life.
3. Read His promises each day.
4. Be still.  Take a few moments each day, even a minute, one minute to listen. To be still. Sit outside, close your eyes and be still.
5. Be still and fill your mind with, knowing that He is God.
6. Account for His mighty presence in your life, in the whole world.

What are some suggestions you as a class have for how we can accept this challenge this week. 

As you do, please post on the blog what is working for you!

As you leave, if there is time, here is a song written based on this song, Psalms 46.  Enjoy!