Focus
Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.
Read
Psalm 46
God’s Defense of His City and People
To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.
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
Reflect
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge… Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change.” Although things may get out of order as we know it, although things may not go as planned or as expected, God is still God. Naturally, we are expected to cave in and be afraid of the negative outcomes when things go wrong. As believers in Christ, we will not be afraid because we belong to God. Our God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
When everything that could go wrong actually goes wrong and all hope is lost. When there is confusion and the nations are in an uproar God shows up and shows out to calm the situation. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
All we have to do is to look around us to see the works of the Lord. God puts an end to the most terrible situation. Therefore, let us calm down and rest in the Lord. Let us be still and appreciate God who is exalted among the nations and exalted in the earth.”
Pray
Without you Lord we are helpless. In your presence, we become powerful and hopeful. In you and with you we are somebody. Nevertheless, we do take our eyes off you and tend to focus on our problems. Lord, we believe, help thou our unbelief, open our eyes of understanding to see you amid our issues, and always know that the Lord of hosts is with us.
Amen.
Go with God!
