Psalm 46

Psalm 46 NLT

For the choir director: A song of the descendants of Korah, to be sung by soprano voices. 1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude 4 A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. 5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. 6 The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! 7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude 8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. 9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

Intro about remembering God’s Reign and Guidance during the upcoming election

I read this Psalm and desire to share it with us this morning as it is a timely reminder of God’s power over all the earth and the affairs of humanity.

Ultimately God is in charge, even if the nations rage with chaos and life is uncertain!

Reformation

Luther nailed his 95 Thesis on the door of the church in Hindenburg, Germany on Oct. 31, 1517. This was the knock heard around the world as the Protestant Reformation began.

It was intended as a way to reform the ills of the Catholic church and reorient people around the grace of God through Jesus Christ and the reliance upon God’s word.

Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone

Luther, aided by the Gutenberg Press, was able to disseminate his ideas across the Germanic tribes. He translated the New Testament into German (solidifying the German language) and later translated the Old Testament also into German.

He did this while hiding from threats, but also defending his life and ideas against the onslaught of the power of the elite in the Catholic Church (and government) who sought to silence him.

What does that have to do with this Psalm?

Luther used this Psalm as the basis for the hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” and when he found himself in a turbulent, troubled time, he would call to his friend Phillip and say, “Let us sing the Psalm 46”

It was sung in Germain, but is translated something like this in English

“A Mighty Fortress is Our God”

Verse 1

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

A Bulwark never failing

Our Helper He amidst the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe

His craft and pow’r are great

And armed with cruel hate

On Earth is not his equal

Verse 3

And though this world with devils filled

Should threaten to undo us

We will not fear for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us

The prince of darkness grim

We tremble not for him

His rage we can endure

For lo his doom is sure

One little word shall fell him.

Verse 4

That word above all earthly pow’rs

No thanks to them abideth

The Spirit and the gifts are ours

Thro’ Him who with us sideth

Let goods and kindred go

This mortal life also

The body they may kill

God’s truth abideth still

His Kingdom is forever

A song of God’s promise, sovereignty, and grace amidst the chaos and uncertainty of life. Particularly, God’s power made known to those who would seek to destroy and undo what God desires to do in our world.

Back to the Psalm...

This psalm describes a particular time when the Judean people were being assaulted by other kings. Many believe it to reference the time when Sennacherib invaded Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. in 701 BC (20 ish years after the Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria)

Sennacherib was the king of Assyria.

Sennacherib sent army officials to Jerusalem to demand that Hezekiah surrender.

2 Kings 18-19 and 2 Chronicles 32:9-23 tell the story...

Sennacherib taunted and mocked the people saying that if the king did not surrender they would all die. He challenged the people not to trust in God, but to trust in him.

2 Chronicles 32:14–15 NLT

14 Which of their gods was able to rescue its people from the destructive power of my predecessors? What makes you think your God can rescue you from me? 15 Don’t let Hezekiah deceive you! Don’t let him fool you like this! I say it again—no god of any nation or kingdom has ever yet been able to rescue his people from me or my ancestors. How much less will your God rescue you from my power!”

But, God answered the cry of king Hezekiah...

2 Chronicles 32:20–21 NLT

20 Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven. 21 And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its commanders and officers. So Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace to his own land. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him there with a sword.

It was God, YHWH, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who intervened!

God won the victory.

And, this psalm is penned to remind the people that God is supreme, God is in charge, God is almighty, God will not be stopped And our role, when everything is quaking and shaking, is to trust in God and God alone!

God is our refuge

Psalm 46:1–3 NLT

1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude

God is our refuge, shelter, and strength. Not armies, kings, warriors, finances etc...

Psalm 20:7–8 NLT

7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. 8 Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.

An image of everything turning to chaos

Earth Shaking

Mountains Crumbling to the sea

Oceans roaring and foaming

We are reminded that waters represented the force of chaos. It is pictorial language describing a time when All Hell is breaking loose. Maybe it is nations that are warring against each other (v. 6 seems to describe such a time).

Yet, the point is not a specific historical event, the point is that in times of great uncertainty God is our shelter and God is ready to assist us, direct us, and guide us through the times of chaos. Essentially, God stills the storms around us.

A note about earthquakes...

God Protects the City - God Protects His People

Psalm 46:4–7 NLT

4 A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. 5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. 6 The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! 7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

In contrast to the chaotic waters of the sea, there is a river with streams that brings joy.

There is peace with God’s presence in the midst of the chaos!

A reminder of Hezekiah’s tunnel the channeled the Gihon Spring into the city so that the people would have water amidst the assault from the enemy army.

God provides protection for His people - even at the break of day when and enemy assault is most likely.

Isaiah 8:6 NLT

6 “My care for the people of Judah is like the gently flowing waters of Shiloah, but they have rejected it. They are rejoicing over what will happen to King Rezin and King Pekah.

Isaiah 8:6 NIV

6 “Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoices over Rezin and the son of Remaliah,

The nations are in chaos as they have rejected God’s provision and order - does that sound familiar?

Psalm 46:6–7 NLT

6 The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! 7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

Now the picture is not simply chaos in the world at large, that chaos exists because the nations are in chaos. There is no order and ruling structure, they have cast off all restraint. It is as if the nations are rebelling against God’s ruling order.

But, even in the midst of this, God is supreme. All God must do is SPEAK and the entire earth melts. God is ultimately in charge.

ALTHOUGH THE NATIONS RAGE IN CHAOS- GOD IS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

Psalm 47:2 NLT

2 For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth.

And, there is peace as God’s presence is among the people in the midst of the chaos!

Psalm 46:7 NLT

7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

God has a plan - He has worked in the past

Psalm 46:8–9 NLT

8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. 9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

God restores peace in the midst of chaos

God destroys the acts of the rebellious and silences the warring nations

IT will be God who works to cause all war and chaos to end, both now and in the future.

Look upon what God has done in the past, and trust what God will do now and in the future.

God Speaks - A Promise and A Threat

This is the ONLY time in this short Psalm that details God’s voice. If God speaks, we should pay attention to what God says!!

Psalm 46:10 NLT

10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

A promise and a threat

A promise to God’s people who rest in God’s goodness

That God will be lifted up, exalted, worshiped among ALL the nations as the King who reigns Supreme

But, also a threat to the nations that refuse to be still from their onslaught and turmoil and chaos

That God will be lifted up, exalted, worshiped among ALL the nations as the King who reigns Supreme

The outcome is the same! God will be declared as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Psalm 47 carries this theme on…). For those who have God’s calming presence among them this is a great promise, but for those who REJECT God and God’s ways, this is a great threat!

The Promise of God’s protection and peace is for those who have God dwelling among them…

Psalm 46:5 NLT

5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.

Psalm 46:7 NLT

7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

Psalm 46:11 NLT

11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

The question is… Do you have God’s presence within you? Do we have God’s presence in our midst?

He is the great King of the Universe

Psalm 47:2 NLT

2 For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth.

Yet, in order to know his peace and protection at all times we must value his PRESENCE!

Do we?

We can REST in God’s Goodness

Psalm 46:10 NLT

10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

To those who have God’s presence, there is NOTHING to fear

Ballot measures? NOPE

Presidential Elections? NOPE

God is the King over all anyway. Nations come, nations go, but GOD WILL REMAIN SECURE!

With God’s peace that comes from God’s presence and the recognition of God’s Sovereignty we can say “COME WHAT MAY!”

There is an upcoming election. Remember this - GOD IS ULTIMATELY IN CHARGE AND IN CONTROL!

Yes, God invites us to participate. Yes, God has given us free will and free choice. But, the Bible is also VERY CLEAR that God is on the throne. God is leading and guiding history. Nothing we choose to do, or to not do, can dethrone God and thwart His plans.

Can things be better or worse due to elections. Yes, of course. However, our faith is secure in God and God alone.

The answer to our problems is NOT a donkey or an elephant. The answer is found in the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Remember this, we have a civic duty to our country as citizens of our country, BUT our greater allegience is to our HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP and to GOD.

Philippians 3:20 NLT

20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

So, rest in God’s goodness. Be still, peaceful, restful, full of shalom and God’s certain promise that God is GOD! He is the King. He is the Supreme Ruler of the Universe. At his voice ALL NATIONS will melt and be subdued.

So, study the political candidates. Read about the ballot measures. And then, STOP FRETTING AND STEWING! GO TO BED AND GET REST! GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!

Prepare to vote - but for HEAVEN’S SAKE REST IN GOD’S GOODNESS.

Psalm 46:1–3 NLT

1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude

God is supreme - so COME WHAT MAY!!

BENEDICTION

1 Timothy 1:17 KJV 1900

17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.