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1 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). (Psalm 46 NRSV)
A happy and tremendous Thursday be yours dear Friend and yours, is my prayer. I pray the pace and peace of the Lord be with you as we enter a very hectic and busy time of year as we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. If you're traveling soon, please be safe.
What's your favorite faith-boosting hymn? You know the one where when you hear it the hairs on the back of the neck let you know that this is what you needed to hear. Well, if you think about it, most of the psalms were hymns, and this one would have been the favorite of many a citizen of Israel. Hear the words and imagine how you would have felt to hear the words sung, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." That would have been enough, but listen to the next verse, "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult." Wow, you would have thought, the hymn writer knows the kind of week I've had and what I needed to hear, and it has blessed me!
The language the psalmist wrote is figurative of both good and bad. A changing earth, shaking mountains in the sea that make waters roar and foam; these are the unexpected scary things. Then the psaimist says there is a "river whose streams make glad the city of God," the good things, the power and strength of God's Spirit flowing among His people; and God is in the midst of the city, which means the people of God. That city cannot be moved, and God will help the city when the morning dawns. We move towards the promises that bless us: God is with us; the God of the living is with us, and can make all things good. The presence of wars could be done with God removing the weapons of war, and the chorus "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth," and "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
This morning we started our day with hymns from YouTube. Hymns from long ago, and images of sainted friends and family came to our minds and hearts and made both of us weep. The theme was that God is faithful and that God is with us. We knew and celebrated that Strong is our God!
Dear one, if your "city" has shaking mountains and roaring seas, sing affirmations of faith in your life today and on worship days. Listen to what others have written in response to their faith in hopes of praising God and blessing you. Don't suffer alone!
PRAYER: Loving Father, speak to the needs and fears of Your city; may this dear reader's concerns be lifted up to You as they sing and affirm Your goodness. You, loving God, are strong. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Sing to praise God and to lift your spirits today!
Blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio Valvere
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