Our Refuge and Strength.

Psalm 46 opens with the beautiful words, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” The word “Always” reassures us he doesn’t sometimes help, or only help when he chooses to. The help may not come in the way we desire or expect, but it always comes.

Then, in verse 2, we read that because the help always comes, we will not fear, no matter what we face. “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.” The events the psalmist lists are pretty catastrophic–earthquakes, mountains crumbling into the sea, oceans roaring and foaming… No wonder he needs an interlude after listing that lot! It sounds terrifying, but verse 4 speaks of joy. “A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.”

How can we experience joy despite terror? Is this a cruel paradox? When reading these words, I may think, “You’ve got to be kidding! I’m supposed to feel joyful if I’m running away from an earthquake or a flood!” But what does verse 5 say? “God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.” This is talking about a physical location–a city; likely Jerusalem, but we can also apply its message to us. God dwells in his children by his Holy Spirit. Therefore, we can have peace during chaos, because he has promised us his love and protection. This doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen. The psalmist isn’t saying there won’t be earthquakes or floods; he’s saying we can still have peace and joy despite them because of the one to whom we belong. You and I are the sacred home of the most high, because God has made his dwelling in us. Even if our bodies are destroyed, our spirits will live on in eternity with our Saviour.

If verse 6 was true of the time when it was written, then it seems even more apt now. “The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble!” Just watch the news for evidence of these facts. Yet, “God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!” the voice of the Lord is even louder than the tumult. It roars above the crashing waves. It cannot be silenced. So let’s allow him to speak his truths into our unrest, because “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the god of Israel is our fortress”. (Verse 7).

Following the statement above, we find the second occurrence of the word “Interlude”. It’s as if the psalmist has to take a breath and ponder everything he’s written so far. Maybe we should do that too, because it’s a lot to take in, and if we gloss over it and rush onto the next thing, we will miss its beauty and power. So, take a break. Have a cup of tea, look out of the window, and ponder the one whose loving voice thunders over your storm. Consider how he has always seen you through. Thank him for being your refuge and strength, the one who is always ready to help in times of trouble.

Then, “Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: see how he brings destruction upon the world.” (Verse 8.) It may look like the enemy is winning, but he never will. How many times has God shown himself faithful throughout history? On how many occasions has he said, “So far, and no further”, on both a global and personal scale? Rejoice over his victories in your life. If he was faithful before, he will be faithful again. If he brought you through before, he will do it again. “He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” (Verse 9.)

Finally, in verse 10, we get a word directly from God, written in the first person. But I don’t think it is what we expect. At least, it isn’t for me. I might expect something like, “Oh, you of little faith! Why aren’t you trusting me? Why are you still worried and upset? Why are you letting these storms overwhelm you? Don’t you realise who I am? Haven’t I shown you enough? You are so slow to understand–so sluggish in your faith.” But what does God say? “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honoured by every nation. I will be honoured throughout the world.” (Verse 10:

Be still?… We’ve read about his voice thundering, and now he’s telling us to be still! If he’s as loud as thunder, how can we miss him? We should be able to distinguish him no matter what we’re doing! But do we? If my mind whirls with stress, do I have the capacity to listen for God’s still small voice? Ah, but it’s not a still small voice, I hear you say. You said it’s loud, like thunder. But consider the story of the prophet Elijah when he was hiding out in the cave. God promised to come, but he wasn’t in the wind, or in the earthquake. Instead, he came in a gentle whisper. God thunders in the world of evil and sin, but he whispers as a tender Father to his children, lulling us into peace and rest. Imagine a mother soothing her crying infant. She wouldn’t shout. Perhaps she would sing a lullaby, or whisper loving words: “It’s okay. I’ve got you. I love you. I’m going to keep you safe. There’s no need to cry. Go to sleep here in my arms, and you’ll feel better when you wake up.”

“The Lord of heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” (Verse 11). Finally, the psalm closes with another interlude, urging us once again to take time to pause and ponder. What are we to ponder? The presence of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies and the God of Israel. He is here among us, not aloof as a distant deity in the sky. He is the loving Father who tells us to “be still and know that he is God.” He is the one who holds us when we cry out in the night because we’re afraid of the thunder and lightning, or we’ve had a bad dream, or we’re plain scared, and we don’t even understand why. Sometimes, children can’t even voice the reasons for their fear, but a loving parent will offer reassurance. They won’t say, “Go away and stop being silly because I’m too busy to bother with your nonsense.” So, having established that God is the ultimate loving parent, we loop back to where we started. “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”