Passage To Study:

Psalm 46:1-11

[1] God is our refuge and strength, 
A very present help in trouble.
[2] Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
[3] Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. 
Selah

[4] There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
[5] God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
[6] The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
[7] The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. 
Selah

[8] Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
[9] He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the 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 refuge. 
Selah

What are the facts of the passage?:

  • (Verse 1-3) - God is our refuge, strength, and personal help - therefore we need not fear even the worst natural, or unnatural calamity that is out of our control.

  • (Verse 4-7) - God is with us personally, therefore we need not fear anything the unredeemed can do.

  • (Verse 8-11) - God is exercising sovereign control over the affairs of even unredeemed men, therefore we can be still and know that God will be exalted even among the heathen and rejoice that God is with us. 

What do those facts mean?:

(Verse 1-3) - How very many things we people fret about! From the permutations of the "chance" occurances en the natural world to the seemingly random incidence of disease and bodily infirmity, it sometimes seems as though there is no one at the helm. 

(Verse 4-7) - There is some question as to just what the "city Of God" refers to. I think that unquestionably it must refer to the redeemed. It doesn't seem likely that it would refer to any place, even to heaven as all that is said here would not fit if applied to a place. It could refer to a people, but but certainly that could only be trul of a redeemed people - and that would rule out any earthly nation, even Israel as they do not fit the description. No, it seems best to understand this to refer to the redeemed seen as a whole, probably the body of redeemed throughout all ages.

As such, these verses provide a solid indicator of a continuity between the Old and New Testaments. There ail certainly differences between the two; many of them; some very profound and significant. However, there are some very significant similarities as well. The chief of these are as follows:

  • Both OT and NT saints are fed and sustained by God (4a)

  • Both OT and NT saints are dependent upon this stream for true gladness. (4b)

  • Both OT and NT saints are the dwelling place of God. (4c)

  • Both OT and NT saints are sustained by God's presence through any trouble. (5a)

  • Both OT and NT saints are helped by God at the earliest possible moment. (5b)

  • Both OT and NT saints are protected by God from the rage of the nations. (6)

  • Both OT and NT saints are able to say that the one, true and living God of History is with them! (7) 

How do those facts apply to my life?:

What could possibly make more of a difference to me? How valuable is it to know that no natural or man-made calamity can interject itself into my life. God is in control and I should remember that! 

What should I do in response?:

I must live my life in light of the truth that God is in charge of all that touches my life. This means that I exercise control over my mind and heart and seek to think of these Truths even when circumstances seem to indicate otherwise. 
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Psalm
46:1-11

 

 

 
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