Him BookSample

READ Psalm 46:1-11.

SHELTER IN THE LORD. Although Psalm 46 provides no explicit context, many commentators believe it is anchored to the time of King Hezekiah who ruled over the Southern kingdom of Judah around 700 BC. Hezekiah's rule was difficult because the Assyrians had taken out the nation of Israel, the tribes to the north, and had now come against Judah and surrounded the city of Jerusalem. So, Hezekiah and the residents of Jerusalem are placed under siege by the armies of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria.

During a siege, an army would surround a city, cut off all supply channels, and wait for the people to starve. And not only was this siege difficult physically, it also was difficult spiritually because the Assyrians were insulting the God of the people of Israel. According to 2 Chronicles 32, during the siege, the servants of Sennacherib were casting contempt on the Lord, saying, “Like the gods of the nations of the lands who have not delivered their people from my hands, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver his people from my hand.” In other words, Sennacherib was boasting, I'm undefeated in my wars and your God will be no different than all the other fake gods of this region.

So what do we do in this kind of stress? Psalm 46 says we have the privilege of making God our refuge. It's fascinating that the psalmist doesn't say the walls of Jerusalem are their fortress. No, the psalmist says their protection is in the fact that God is with them — “God is in the midst of her … God will help … The Lord of hosts is with us … God is our fortress.”

Tim Keller writes, “It doesn't say that God will help you if you get into a strong refuge. It says that He is that refuge. God is a stronghold or city that cannot be bombed or destroyed … If God is with you, even the worst thing that happens to you - death - only makes you infinitely happier and greater.”

We are always invited to take refuge in Him - even when the worst thing we can imagine is happening around us. Reread Psalm 46:2-3. It felt like the mountains were moving. An army was raging and mocking their God. Yet, in the midst of that, they’re called to find refuge in God.

Prayer: Lord, You are greater than the worst things that could happen to us, therefore, we will not fear even though the earth gives way! Amen.