A Mighty Fortress (Psalm 46)

You know, we live in a world that feels increasingly chaotic, doesn't it? A world where the currents of anxiety and depression often threaten to sweep us away. But what if I told you that amidst the thundering storms and shifting sands of life, there's a solid rock, a fortress that cannot be shaken?

‌Today, we're diving into Psalm 46, an ancient hymn that isn't just relevant, but revolutionary for our time. A psalm that doesn't just acknowledge our fears and anxieties but presents a hope that is both steadfast and transformative.

‌Now, imagine this: What if, in the midst of your darkest hour, in the face of the most overwhelming anxiety, there was a force, a presence so mighty, so reassuring, that the very foundations of the earth couldn't shake it? What if that presence wasn't just around you, but within you?

‌ What truly scares us? And what might it look like if we truly grasped, deep in our souls, the promise and invitation of a God?

‌Looking For Refuge (1)

‌How many of you, this past week, month, or even this year, have felt the weight of life’s burdens pressing down on you? You see, we don't just casually float through existence. No, sometimes, life feels like an unrelenting storm, where wave after wave of trouble crashes over us. We face financial struggles, relational strife, health issues, societal pressures... and often, all at once!

‌Where do we find refuge when life feels unbearable? Do we look to sugar, potato chips, alcohol, drugs, social media or some other self-destructive behavior? Do we buy things we cannot afford, run away seeking exciting experiences, or altogether shut down? Maybe some of us have developed a healthier way of dealing with our struggles, we have people we can talk to and relate with.

‌Now, Psalm 46:1 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Let’s not breeze past that. There’s profound depth in this one verse. Notice, it doesn’t say that God gives us refuge or strength. That is true. We are supposed to be God’s hands and feet. We are called to bless and help one another. But it says God is our refuge and strength.

‌How powerful is that?

In a world that tries to sell us countless quick fixes and band-aids for our pain, this Psalm declares something radically different. We're not pointed to some temporary shelter or fleeting feeling. Instead, the Creator of the universe Himself stands as our bastion of hope, our shelter in the midst of life's torrents.

‌It’s as if the Psalmist is saying, "You want safety? You want strength? Look no further than God Himself."

‌But here’s the tension many of us feel, and maybe you resonate with this: We know this truth in our heads, but our hearts often wander, don't they? We look for refuge in other places – in relationships, in success, in distractions, even in the fleeting comforts of this world.

‌But if God declares Himself to be our refuge and strength, maybe it’s time we stop running from shelter to shelter, hoping to find solace. Maybe it's time we rest, truly rest, in the unshakable, eternal refuge that is our God.

‌Where are you looking for refuge today? And what might it look like to step fully into the fortress that God offers, not just in crises but every single day?

‌We’re all seeking safety. We’re all longing for strength. And Psalm 46 beckons us, beautifully and boldly, to find it in the One who promises to be ever-present, especially in the middle of our troubles.

‌Facing Our Fears (2-3)

‌Let's shift gears for a moment.

‌If I were to hand you a microphone right now and ask, "What are you afraid of?" how would you respond? The truth is, we all have fears, don’t we? Whether they're looming large like mountains or whispering softly in the recesses of our minds, they’re there. Fears of failure, of rejection, of the unknown, of change, or even of the future. And some of these fears? They're not just shadows; they're very real giants we face.

‌In verses 2 and 3 of Psalm 46, the Psalmist paints a vivid picture: “Though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

‌This is chaos. This is catastrophe. The very imagery invokes a sense of dread, doesn't it? Mountains – those ancient symbols of stability and permanence – are collapsing into the sea. Everything that seemed steadfast is now unstable.

‌Yet, in the face of all this turmoil, there’s an underlying message in verse 2: God's people do not need to fear.

‌Why? Why shouldn’t we fear? The world around us quakes and shakes, so why shouldn't we?

‌Here's the catch: Our faith isn't based on the absence of chaos, but on the presence of Christ. Our hope isn’t rooted in everything going right in our world, but in the fact that we serve a God who holds our world in his hand.

‌It's easy to be brave when there's no danger, right? But real faith, transformative faith, is stepping into the storm and knowing, deeply knowing, that our God is with us.

‌Here's a challenge for all of us today: Let’s name our fears. Yes, let's acknowledge them. But then, let's hold them up to the vastness, the power, and the promise of our God. Because when we truly see God for who He is, our fears, even the most daunting ones, start to diminish in His magnificent presence.

‌So, what mountains are quaking in your life? And more importantly, where is your gaze fixed amidst the shaking? Because, remember, even when the earth trembles, our God does not. And neither should we in Him.

‌God’s Promise (4-7)

‌Now, the Psalmist shifts into the next stanza. If you've ever visited a bustling city, you know the energy it carries – the noise, the rush, the constant movement. But in the middle of Psalm 46, there's a contrasting image: A city serene, calm, unshaken. Why? Because it's God's city. Listen to verses 4-5: “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.”

‌This river, it's not just water. It's a symbol of God's presence, His sustenance, His peace. While everything around might be in chaos, there's a place, a divine city, nurtured and nourished by God’s own hand, remaining steadfast.

‌Now, think about this: If a river brings life to a city, then God's constant, unwavering presence brings life to our souls. This city – God's city – is a picture of what our lives can be when grounded in His presence: Unshaken. Filled with joy. Radiant at the dawn of each new day.

‌But, I hear you. Life’s not always radiant, is it? Sometimes it feels like we’re far from this city, distant from this river. But the promise here isn’t about geographical location. It's about spiritual orientation.

‌In verse 7, it says, “The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” That’s not just a comforting statement. It’s a transformative promise. No matter what we face, no matter how far we feel, God is with us. Not as a distant observer but as an intimate defender, a fortress surrounding our very hearts.

‌So here's another challenge: In a world of temporary promises and fleeting pleasures, are we drinking from this river? Are we residing in this city?

‌Because it's one thing to acknowledge God. It’s another to dwell in His presence, to drink deeply of His promises, and to rest securely in His fortress.

‌So, what’s keeping you from this river? From this city? Because God's invitation is clear: Come, dwell, be refreshed. In Him, there is a promise not just of survival, but of thriving – even amidst life’s most daunting challenges.

‌God’s Invitation (8-11)

‌Psalm 46:8–11 (ESV) — 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations 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 chariots with fire. 10 “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 of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

If you were to summarize these verses in one word, it would be "victory." Not a mere human victory, but a divine, all-encompassing triumph.

Throughout history, there have been wars, conflicts, moments where humanity has seemed on the brink of self-destruction. Yet, here is God’s invitation: “Come and see.” See what? Not just the problems, not just the challenges, but the unparalleled power of God at work in the midst of it all.

‌There's a story from the annals of Israel's history that vividly illustrates God's unmatched dominion and the depth of His protective love for His people.

‌Remember Elisha from 2 Kings 6:15-18? The prophet who asked his young servant not to fear the overwhelming armies of Assyria that encircled their city? The odds, humanly speaking, were against them. The servant saw an imminent defeat; he saw the strength of their adversaries. But Elisha saw something entirely different. He prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” And the servant’s eyes were opened to see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha. A divine army, vastly outnumbering the Assyrians, stood ready to defend God's servant.

‌This brings a richer texture to the term “The LORD Almighty.” An alternate translation is "The Lord of Hosts." It paints the picture of a God who not only reigns supreme but has a celestial army, a host of heavenly beings, ready at His command. For you. For me. For all of us.

‌Now, consider verses 8-11 of Psalm 46. “Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations He has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields with fire. He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

‌Just like Elisha's servant, the psalmist is inviting us to see – to really see – the vastness of God’s power and the armies at His disposal. The nations raging against God suddenly pause, recognizing their own frailty in the face of the Almighty. That very phrase, "Be still, and know that I am God," becomes a powerful rebuke to every opposing force. God's enemies crumble, not by human might, but at the mere recognition of His unparalleled authority.

‌God's invitation to us is multifaceted. It's a call to trust, a call to find refuge, and most importantly, a call to witness His power in action, to see the evidence of His might as He silences the tumult of nations and stands as our unwavering protector.

‌So, when the odds seem against us, when the world feels overwhelming, may we, like Elisha’s servant, have our eyes opened to the reality of our divine defense. Our God doesn’t just offer us comforting words; He commands an army of angels, ever ready, ever watchful. And in this assurance, may we always find our strength, our refuge, our hope.

‌Will You Be Still?

‌And nestled within this powerful declaration is a gentle command, almost a whisper amidst the tumult: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

‌In our hustle and bustle, in our worries and anxieties, this is God's call to pause, to rest, to breathe, and to truly recognize who He is. It’s an invitation to surrender, not to defeat, but to the One who has never been defeated. To recognize that the God who halted wars, who controls the vast expanse of the universe, is the same God who beckons us to find refuge in Him.

‌So, here's the pivotal question: How are we responding to this invitation? Are we still trying to fight our battles against God or without him, with broken bows and shattered spears? Or are we willing to be still, to lay down our weapons, and recognize the unparalleled majesty and might of our God?

‌In a world of chaos and noise, may we be a people who choose stillness, recognizing the power and promise of the One who stands with his people as the ultimate fortress against every storm.

‌So, as we close today, let’s embrace this divine invitation: To come, see, be still, and truly know our undefeated God.

‌Conclusion

‌Our journey today through Psalm 46 and the resonating story of Elisha has not been merely a dive into ancient scriptures. Instead, it's been an exploration into the very heart of our life's challenges, especially the silent battles many of us face, like depression.

‌Depression can often feel like we're surrounded by invisible armies, with threats and fears closing in. It can seem like the walls are insurmountable, and the darkness, impenetrable. But here's the anchor we've discovered today: In the thickest fog of our struggles, God is present, and He is overwhelmingly powerful.

‌The God who revealed a mountain full of fiery chariots ready to defend Elisha is the same God who stands with us today. The Lord of Hosts, with legions of angels at His command, is by our side. Even when depression tries to tell us we're alone, the truth is we're enveloped by an army greater than any adversary we face.

‌If "Be still and know that I am God" was a proclamation to the enemies of old, think of it also as a gentle whisper to our troubled souls today. In the midst of our darkest moments, when depression rages and threatens to overpower, God invites us to find stillness in His presence, to remember His power, and to draw from the wellspring of hope that He offers.

‌As we step into the coming days, let the truths of today be our shield against depression's lies. Let's remember that we're not alone in our battles, that there's hope amidst the darkness, and that our God, the Lord of Hosts, is our ever-present help. Lean into Him. Let His promises be the balm to our weary souls. And let’s carry this hope to a world that needs it now, more than ever.

‌If there's just one thing you take away today, let it be this: In every season, in every storm, in every success, our God is our refuge, our strength, our ever-present help.

‌Go in that confidence. Dwell in that truth. And let’s be a beacon of hope in a world that desperately needs the unwavering love and strength of our God.