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Psalm 46
To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. 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 gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 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 her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations 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 chariots 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 of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Watch the Sermon
Summary: This week we are looking at Psalm 46. This Psalm has some of the most commonly quoted lines from the Bible: "God is our refuge and strength." "Be still and know that I am God." While those have gained popularity for very good reason, they are often taken and pulled out of the context of the Psalm to mean whatever we want them to. Being still turns into an opportunity for an Instagram post with an aesthetically-pleasing Bible/coffee/journal display. God is our refuge turns into a bullheaded belief that we will be physically protected in whatever circumstance we get ourselves into.
Take a minute and read the Psalm in its entirety. What sort of emotional response does it evoke? What sort of impression is the Psalmist giving us about God? Or about God's enemies? Pray that God would give us a vision of Himself that would be able to give us this sort of confidence in Him even when trials come.
Review and Apply
This Psalm says "God is..." a number of different things. He is a refuge, strength, and help. He is in the midst of the city of God. He is with us. He is God. What sort of encouragement should we draw from those statements? In what ways do those statements call us to humility?
Notice contrast used by the Psalmist. What is the difference between the mountains in verse 2 and the city of God in verses 4-5? What do you think is the significance of that contrast?
This Psalm is a great help to those who are in Christ, but is a great warning to those who are apart from Him. God is with us, He is our fortress and refuge and strength. But He breaks all those who oppose Him. This should give us significant zeal in our evangelism. When is the last time you shared the gospel with a non-believer? Who are you praying would come to know God as their God? Take a moment and pray that God would use His Word to save those people even this week.
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