Psalm 46: 1-5 says,
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in times of trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear
though the earth should change
And though the mountains fall
into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam
Though the mountains quake
at its swelling pride.
There is a river whose streams make glad the City of God
the holy dwelling places of the most high.
God is in the midst of her,
she will not be moved;
God will help her when the morning dawns.
I love this Psalm. It paints in my mind’s eye a very vivid picture of God’s strength in the midst of chaos.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
His presence is familiar. It’s always there. It’s very present. When I feel like the world is spinning out of control (my control, if I’m honest), I look for Him, and He’s always there.
Therefore, we will not fear though the earth should change and though the mountains fall into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
Think about this picture. A mountain slipping down into the sea. I can picture the turmoil, the swell, the white foamy water. I imagine the sound of it is deafening and demands to be heard. It is not a peaceful picture at all. It feels frightening and overwhelming.
Therefore, we will not fear . . .
no matter what things look like around us. Regardless of what is being destroyed or falling apart or changing. We will not fear . . . I will not fear.
And then there is the next beautiful line of this Psalm. And every time I read this line . . .
every.
single.
time.
I catch my breath in awe.
There is a River whose streams make glad the City of God.
I’m not a theologian, and I can’t tell you with certainty what this means, but I can tell you what it speaks to my heart.
In the midst of destruction and chaos and uncertainty, there is a river, the depth of which cannot be imagined. It is unfathomable. It provides life. It provides protection. It has a determined course. It is a force to be reckoned with. It is the Lord God Almighty.
And I’m pretty sure THAT is why the thought of it takes my breath away.
When I read this one line, “There is a River whose streams make glad the City of God,” I feel instantly at peace. I can still sense the chaos, see the destruction, and hear the deafening sound around me, but my spirit feels peace. I am covered by the warmth of grace. And simultaneously, I feel bolstered. I want to raise my fist and shout, “YEAH, THAT’S RIGHT! THERE’S A RIVER!”
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
All that to say, I don’t know what feels out of control in your world today. I have no idea what sense of despair or fear of great change you may be experiencing. But I do know this; there is a river, and in the raging, scary depths of it there is the Lord. He is in the midst of it now, and will be there when morning dawns. Therefore, we will not fear . . .
