Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 17; 2 Chronicles 28; Psalm 46; James 3
Scripture: Psalm 46:1, 6-7, 9-11
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble...
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress...
9 He makes wars cease to the ends 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 will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Observation: This Psalm once again reminds me of the truth that the people of Israel have had to rely on God for their protection from enemies for as long as they have been a nation. And God has been faithful to them -- and we see it still today! I was just viewing a news update which stated that a total of only 25 people have been killed in Israel in the attacks by Hezbollah. That's an amazingly small number when you consider that several hundred missiles have been launched against Israel over the past several days! God is indeed their fortress.
Application: I love verse 10: "Be still, and know that I am God." How important it is to find that place of rest and trust in the Lord and abide in it. The psalmist who wrote these words lived in a nation at a time of war. If he can find that quiet place, how much more should we be able to find it? We must seek for and find places to be quiet in the presence of Almighty God. It may be difficult with all the noise that surrounds us these days. But it is worth it to simply be still and know that He is God.
Prayer: Father, I thank You that You draw us into that place of quiet solitude and intimacy with You. Forgive us for being too busy to stop and spend that quiet time in Your presence. Help us to recognize the priority of putting our distractions aside to be with You. May we grow in the experience of investing our time with You.
And Lord, we ask that You protect the people of Israel from their foes. Be a shield to them and bring them victory over their hateful enemies. And we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
5 comments:
While these scriptures were given to the nation of Israel, they also have application to us today. Not only does God protect Israel (then and now) but He also protects us. We need to heed the words of the first 3 verses of the Psalm which say, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. THEREFORE we will not fear, THOUGH THE EARTH GIVE WAY AND THE MOUNTAINS FALL INTO THE HEART OF THE SEA." In other words, no matter how frightening the circumstances are, we trust God to see us through them. What a great confidence we can have when we do that! And as the day of the return of our Lord gets closer, we will need that confidence. We do need to set aside our worldly distractions (TV, online gaming, etc.) and pray so that in the days of trouble we know God will hold us in the palm of His hand.
Amen!!!
Amen!!!!
Amen!!!!
This is still one the most difficult things for me to accomplish. Being still and quiet. Lord speak to our hearts in these times, just as your word says, and may we long for more time alone with you.
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