A Mighty Fortress

A word of encouragement for today is found in Psalm 46. Read on:

    God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
How comforting, and here is the conclusion:
    2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

Here is our answer to global warming. "...the earth should change and the mountains slip into the sea." Now that is true climate change. No alarmists have speculated on the prospect of the mountains sliding into the sea. (Or maybe the oceans rise that much.) Regardless of what happens, even to the extent of "roaring" oceans and gigantic earthquakes, we will not fear. And that is because of our "Refuge and Strength." No trouble can trouble us. "Selah." Think about that.

Then the Psalmist switches focus. Instead of fixating on and fretting about this world, he turns our attention to heaven. We see this described in Revelation 22.
    4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
The comparison illustrates the futility of attaching our attention and affection to this world. Why be concerned with the present passing existence when we have the permanent perspective available. So should we ignore the present world? Read on:

     6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.
We are not oblivious to this existence. But we are not overcome by the "uproar." It is a minor concern compared with our "Help." All He needs to do is "raise" His voice. What comfort.
    7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
Think of that.

Martin Luther translated this for us as, "A mighty fortress is our God." He is a "bulwark never failing." Turn again to the description of His activities:
    8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
IF major changes come, or minor ones for that matter, it is He who has wrought it. Further...
     9   He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.

No one or no thing can overcome His will and work. Who or what is puny man that he can challenge the strength or sovereignty of this Fortress, our Fortress, our God? So our conclusion is clear:
    10 Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

King James translates it, "Be still and know that I am God." Handel, in the "Messiah," counseled us from the Scripture: "Comfort ye, comfort ye My people." (Isaiah 40:1) "Be still, be still." Whether G. F. Handel thought of this is not the point. Every declaration of the Lord is for comfort. Even announcement of judgment is "comforting" because He is trustworthy, and it is accompanied by an offer of mercy. Take comfort, because...
    11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

There is our fortress again. Think of that. Take courage.