In the aftermath of the March 3, 2020 tornadoes throughout middle Tennessee, we took a walk through this ancient song to remind ourselves of the timeless truths of scripture and the importance of knowing God as our ultimate refuge and strength. But what do we really believe about the power of God, the presence, the purposes and the peace of God? Join Pastor Jim as we revisit Psalm 46 to find the answers.
“God is our refuge and strength, An ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear,
Though the earth gives way,
Though the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake with their surging. Selah”
Psalm 46:1-3
“Thank God I’m weak because when I am weak, I get to know the power of God working in me.”
Dallas Willard
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; The God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”
Psalm 46:4-7
“We sing this psalm to the praise of God, because God is with us and powerfully and miraculously preserves and defends his church and his word against all fanatical spirits, against the gates of hell, against the implacable hatred of the devil, and against all the assaults of the world, the flesh and sin.”
Martin Luther
“Come and see the works of the LORD, The desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, He burns the shields with fire.”
Psalm 46:8-9
“We do not see the glories and tragedies of national and global events, and the joys and the pains of day-to-day family life, as finding their meaning only within human history, or personal biography. Their true meaning lies within the purposes of a God who has made himself known as loving and holy, as personal and infinite, as Creator and Redeemer, as Sustainer and Ruler.”
David Atkinson
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The LORD Almighty is with us; The God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”
Psalm 46:10-11
“I write because I believe in a greater truth than my small mind can fathom, a deeper desire than my weak heart can muster, and a closer relationship than the best human marriage can attain.”
Rebecca McLaughlin
Confronting Christianity
“The nature of salvation is peace, or reconciliation – peace with God, peace with men, peace within. The source of salvation is grace, God’s free favour, irrespective of any human merit or works, his loving-kindness to the undeserving. And this grace and peace flow from the Father and the Son together.”
John Stott
