‘The Lord Almighty is with us…’ (Psalm 46:7)
Read Psalm 46
Often when we read through Scripture, we don’t always appreciate how interconnected the various books of the Bible are, perhaps especially so in the Old Testament, where the historical books and the books of prophecy in particular are all interlinked. But the book of Psalms are also interconnected in this way, some to specific experiences in the life of King David and others to different periods in the life of Israel, where the words of the Psalm are in many ways an expression of the people at that time.
Psalm 46 is effectively written in three parts. The first few verses declare a sure and certain confidence and faith in the Lord, the next few speak of special situations and experiences before the Psalm ends with verses of complete assurance in the Divine intervention of the Lord on behalf of His people. Because of the content of the Psalm and the use of specific language resembling the metaphorical language used in Isaiah at places, many believe this Psalm is speaking of the overthrowing of the Assyrian army in the time of Hezekiah – a time of deliverance for the people of Jerusalem, a time when they knew the Lord their God was with them.
Today the Psalm can offer us that same assurance that the Lord will be with us in our times of trouble. Read through the verses again and see how each time it speaks of something dramatic taking place it is followed by the assurance that God is in the midst of that. So it is today in our lives. No matter the situation we find ourselves facing, no matter how fearful we may be, no matter how awful it may seem, the Lord is there with us – look at how many times we are assured of that in this Psalm. The Lord is with us and always will be.
‘Be still and know that I am God…’ With all that we are facing today, perhaps more than ever we need to just take time every now and then to reflect of the words of this Psalm. Take time out to be at one with God and remind ourselves of this message – that the Lord is indeed with us. He is our refuge and our strength.
Lord, when we consider the words of the Psalmist here, we take so much comfort in knowing that You are always with us. Help us to remember this, especially so at this time, and to remind others of this, that in that knowledge they too might find the comfort they need to know. And all this we ask in Jesus name…Amen.
Question Of The Day: Why did God tell Gideon to reduce the number of his army?