By Susan Nero

We will be looking a little deeper into David’s relationship with God next week but today the Lord directed me to Psalm 46. This psalm was not written by David but by the descendants of Korah as a song of worship.

The emphasis in this Psalm is on the presence of the Lord with His people and the difference it makes when we trust Him in the changes and difficulties of life. (vv 1,5,7,11).

The Psalm focuses on the Lord and what He is to His trusting people.

GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND TOWER OF STRENGTH VV1-3

The word translated refuge in verse 1 means a shelter, a rock of refuge, while the word in verses 7&11 means a stronghold, a high tower, a fortress. Both interpretations declare that God is a dependable refuge for His people when everything around them seems to be falling apart. In David’s Psalm 61 he cries out: “Hear my cry O God - For you have been a shelter to me, a strong tower from the enemy.”

When I read this it brought to my mind what Cozette said to me early on as we began our isolation due to Covid: “IT IS AS IF GOD HAD TOLD US TO GO TO OUR ROOM AND THINK ABOUT IT.” From this point on I thought more lovingly of my room (of isolation) as my “high tower” where I could spend personal time with the Lord letting Him “teach” me through His Word. In my Bible study He shed new light on the Scriptures every day as I began putting together the series for this summer. I found new confirmations every day. One day I copied Warren Wiersbe’s comment on sheltering:

“He doesn’t protect us to pamper us. He shelters us so He can strengthen us to go back to life with its duties and dangers - to help us grow.

Next, recently, Nicole sent to me the preface to David Jeremiah’s book “SHELTER IN GOD Your Refuge in Times of Trouble” The preface listed 15 different people God sheltered. This helps us to see more clearly God’s intent in providing His shelter for us. I’d like to read a few. I made copies for you so that you can make your own notes—————————————————————————————————

In verse one, the word trouble describes people in tight places, in a corner and unable to get out. When this occurs we can hear God’s voice:

DON’T BE AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU.”(Isaiah 41:10)

I was surprised to find that the words “for I am with you” most often accompanied by “don’t fear” appears 496 times in 75 verses (NKJV). Such reassurance of how much He loves us like a Mother, telling her child “ it’s alright I’m here.”

We will see this summer how from the beginning it has been part of God’s plan and His greatest desire that we should be with Him! and He with us!

GOD IS OUR RIVER OF LIFE VV 3-7

The psalmist knew that God was their river and provided them with the water of life. In the Old Testament, Isaiah compared the Assyrian Invasion to an overflowing river, but reminded the Jews that their God was like a quiet river and would bring them peace. The waters in verse 3 (according to Wiersbe) may also symbolize the unrest of the nation (USA?) and in verse 6 (“the nations raged, and the kingdoms were moved.”) riots, arson, murders, hatred and division, fear and anarchy?) All of our circumstances may change our future - But God’s covenant with His people will never change.

(2)

(3)

REMEMBER HIS WORKS IN OUR LIFE/ HE WILL BE GLORIFIED VV 8-9

“Come behold the works of the Lord……” Sometimes the Lord allows us to be overwhelmed by our circumstances so that our faith will grow. As we turn to depend on Him, His works in our life will be seen, and He will be glorified. Perhaps it is for just a time as this that we can help others to see what a difference He makes in our lives. There are unbelievers watching. I found confirmation in a Psalm of Davids 64:9-10 (NLT)

“Then everyone will be afraid; they will proclaim the mighty acts of God and realize all the amazing things He does. The godly will rejoice in the Lord and find shelter in Him. And those who do what is right will praise Him.”

My Bible has the title for Psalm 64: “Oppressed by the Wicked but Rejoicing in the Lord” As we remember His past works in our lives how can we lose heart now at this difficult time?

__________________________________________________________________

(4)

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD VV 10-11

THE LAST TWO VERSES IN PSALM 46 are some of the most encouraging words in Scripture.

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 refuge.

Wiersbe’s Commentary :

“Be still” literally means “Take your hands off! Relax! We like to be “hands-on” people and manage our own lives, but God is God, and we are but His servants. There is a time to obey God and act, and a time to take our hand off and allow Him to work in His own time and His own way. If we remember the promises He left us with last Spring, and we seize those promises with both hands, we won’t be able to meddle!

__________________________________________________________________