Outbreak of Grace - Psalm 46

PSALM 46

 God is our refuge and strength,

    a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

3 though its waters roar and foam,

    though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;

    God will help it when the morning dawns.

6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;

    he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;

    see what desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

    he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;

    he burns the shields with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God!

    I am exalted among the nations,

    I am exalted in the earth."

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

 

Read the Psalm (and if you have time handwrite or type the Psalm).

See how the Psalm is structured.

  • There is an Opening Statement about Who God is --- Our Refuge, Our Strength, Our Very Present Help in Every Time of Trouble.

  • Then there is our Response of Faith - "Therefore I shall not Fear"

  • There are 3 major sections each outlining a different scenario of disaster.                   

    • A Seismic Shift in life (a "LIfequake", an Earthquake), where what you thought was immovable (the mountains) became molten and the world around you (the sea) was in total tumult.(vs. 2,3)

    • The Powers that Be (the Nations and Kingdoms) seemed helpless and

    • lashed out (they rage and totter). (vs.6)

    • A Desolation akin to a War threatened. (vs. 8)

  • And In each of the scenario of disaster there is an outbreak of grace.

    • Verse 4 witnesses to a "River", a flowing, whose streams feed the unshakable dwelling of God. God is in the midst of this abiding place, from the start of every day, to be a solid rock ("the city shall not be moved').

    • Verse 9 speaks of a God whose will is Peace (who makes wars cease, breaks the bow and shatters the spear).

  • There is a climaxing Call to Faith in verse 10. It summons us in the midst of all the Disasters to Take a Breath, Step Back, Stop being Carried Away by Fear

    • "Be Still and Know that I am God. I will be Exalted among the nations. I will be Exalted in the Earth"

  • Then, there are the "Choruses" - the "Selahs" that in a regular rhythm repeat the powerful word of faith:

    • "The Lord of Hosts (the God of the Angel Armies) is with us

    • "The God of Jacob", our faithful, covenant God is our Refuge (our Abiding Place).

Questions to Consider:

  • As you read this Psalm how does it describe our present world as we wrestle with the Coronavirus? What are the connections you make?  (How do images like "Seismic Shift", "LIfequake", "the mountains falling into the midst of the sea" speak to you?) . These are very powerful images describing a very tumultuous time. Jot down your thoughts.

  • How do the Affirmations of Faith in this Scripture speak to you? (The Lord is my Refuge, my Strength, My Present Help in this time of trouble) Jot down your thoughts.

  • How is the climaxing Call to Faith - "Be Still and Know that I am God" - an anchor point for you in your own experience of upheaval? Repeat that statement several times (3 or 4 for good measure). How does that help? Jot down your thoughts.

  • How do the choruses - the regular rhythms of grace - (The Lord of Hosts - the God of the Angel Armies - is with me. The God of Jacob - our covenant faithful God- is here to protect me). How do they offer security, peace of mind, reassurance in the midst of your fears? Jot down your thoughts.

Prayer for today:

Gracious God, you who are my Security, my Rock, my Help; By the flow of your Holy Spirit, (that River which makes glad the city of God) draw me ever more deeply into an outbreak of your grace. When I am afraid, let me hear your Voice calling "Be Still, and Know (deep within) that you are God, Lord above all". In that unshakeable reality lead me into all the tumult of today in your ever sustaining Strength, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In Christ,

Paul