“Refuge and Strength” - Psalm 46 (Day 1)

With a new week comes a new Psalm to sit with, meditate on, and soak up its goodness. We now turn our attention to Psalm 46, a piece of Scripture with similar themes to many of the psalms we've meditated on so far: crisis met with confidence. Continually reflecting on turmoil and adversity can be overwhelming, especially during a summer when we intend to experience rest. So this week, we don't want to ignore the crises we might face but spend the time we have together building our confidence in God - His character, provision, and presence - and learn why we can trust Him with all that we are. Before we begin, I want to provide some space for you to reflect on the sure foundation God provides for your life and thank Him in prayer for this stability and security. 

The words of Psalm 46 come from the sons of Korah, who served as worship leaders inside the temple in Jerusalem. There's debate about when they penned this passage, but it occurred after a battle when David's army stood victorious over its enemies. With these circumstances framing the author’s words, I invite you to read Psalm 46, and as you do, make note of any words, phrases, or themes that stand out to you.

Psalm 46 says this:

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”11The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

That’s a lot to unpack and an impossible task to do in a single devotional - but that’s the beauty of sitting with Psalm 46 for an entire week. It enables us to take our time, slow down, and chew on all its wisdom. So, let's read Psalm 46 once again, but this time, center our attention on the first three verses.

Psalm 46:1-3  says this:

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 

Take a moment to reflect on what you just read:

• What makes something or someone a good refuge?

As mentioned earlier, the context of Psalm 46 runs similar to many other poems inside the book of Psalms. The author finds themselves in some uncertain and troubled predicament with chaos unfolding around them. Yet, rather than begin with words of distress, Psalm 46 opens up with a declaration - God is our refuge, strength, and ever-present help. As the author continues, he twice compares God to a fortress (verses 7 and 11). This comforting imagery aligns with countless scriptures of God providing and being a refuge for His people. In fact, to list and meditate on every reference would take years. But their collective message is this: we find safety, security, and rest for our weary souls in Him. A fortress might not change the dire circumstances taking place outside its walls, but under its roof, a refuge keeps one safe, a feeling we all desperately need to experience. 

We shouldn’t underestimate the transformative power safety brings. Pause and consider a time in your life when you didn’t feel safe - whether as a child or adult. What emotions did you feel? How did you react and respond to this heightened vulnerability? Growth, vitality, and freedom were more than likely the farthest things from your mind. Instead, you probably felt helpless, forgotten, and paraylzed. In the absence of a sense of safety, we stop growing, stop moving, and stop thinking clearly. Rather than thriving, we devote the rest of our depleted energy towards simply surviving and juggling our fear and doubt. God not only invites us to leave this unsettled location; He created a place in Himself where we find unshakable security from our circumstances, lasting comfort in His provision, and an elevated purpose for our lives. 

Take a moment and consider…What does God providing a refuge in Himself say about your value in His eyes? 

Read today’s passage slowly one more time.

Psalm 46:1-3 says this:

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 

Ancient cities protected their residents by constructing large surrounding walls. These fortresses kept chaos out while creating a safe atmosphere where communities could thrive inside. Even in our modern world, we know of physical buildings that provide sanctuary for the weary traveler, displaced family, and downtrodden individual. Living on the coast of Southeastern North Carolina, we're also well acquainted with shelters protecting us from a raging storm - we can picture it because we've experienced it. So the inevitable and understandable question that rises to the surface is, "How do I make God, whom I can't see, my refuge?"

Our trust in the security Christ provides regarding our identity, purpose, and value gets built brick-by-brick. Just like those ancient fortresses weren’t constructed in a day and didn’t arise over night, resting in God as our refuge entails a daily intention on our part. God provides us with hope in Himself, inspiration and insight in His Word, guidance with the gift of His Spirit and the support of fellow Christ followers. As we continue to immerse ourselves in these things, we feel increasingly safer in the walls His love, forgiveness, and grace provide us and we begin to call it our home. 

So, as we begin to wrap up our time together, we want to provide you some space to respond to what we read and maybe to what God is trying to say to you through Psalm 46. First, take a moment to process this question…Where do you need to rest in the security that God being your refuge brings? 

Another question to consider is this…In what ways, as you go about your day,  can you declare God as your refuge, strength, and fortress?

PRAYER

Father God,

Inside the safety of Your love I find the security my heart desires.

I need not fear what transpires outside its walls because under Your roof I’m provided for and protected.

May I continue to trust that I am not only welcome here, but that by Your grace I can call it home. Amen.