Healing Rays of Righteousness

Violence and greed, disrespect and racism, political and religious animosity have escalated to a fever pitch during the past year, causing many of us to become anxious, uncertain and fearful. God’s message of hope, peace, joy and love is in danger of being silenced and forgotten by the loud, clanging noises of economic crisis, criminal violence, terrorist attack, war, racism, divisive national politics with its unstable and unpredictable leadership.

So how should you and I, who claim to have faith in God, respond to these threatening situations?  One of the truths that I have learned over the years by personal experiences and Bible study is this – God is not our protector against trouble, but he is our refuge and strength – our very present help in trouble. 

I understand this to mean that I should not expect God to prevent tragedies and pain, nor should I blame Him if they happen, but I can expect God to strengthen and sustain me in and through every difficult and threatening situation of life.

Read Psalm 46

Psalm 46 is a statement of faith declaring God to be in charge of history, and that he is more than adequate for every difficult and threatening event of life, so therefore we do not need to be afraid.  This psalm encourages us to trust God at all times and in every circumstance, and particularly when our life becomes difficult.

We may be facing an uncertain and frightening tomorrow or experiencing a very painful situation today; the earth and mountains may be shaking with storms and earthquakes of all kinds, and yet the psalmist assuredly declares that God is mighty and able to sustain and see us through the threatening darkness of evil.

The writer of this psalm reckoned with the possibility that God may allow the worst to happen in our world and life.  But in the midst of the crisis, he renounces fear and reaffirms faith with three great affirmations of faith that can keep us from being robbed of the hope, peace, joy and love that Jesus brings to us in his promise never to leave us nor forsake us.

The first affirmation is regarding God’s POWER in verse 1-3; “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.”  No matter what storm rages, the almighty God is present in the midst of the trouble to help us.  God’s strength will surround our weakness and protect us.  “Therefore we will not fear” even if the worst is happening.

The second affirmation is regarding God’s PRESENCE in verses 4-7; “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.  …The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”  The powerful, loving presence of God gives us confidence, no matter the tumult swirling around us and threatening to destroy us. Therefore, we will not faint, nor fall.

Writing to the Romans, Paul put it this way: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rm. 8:38-39).

The third affirmation is regarding God’s PEACE in verse 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.”  When in the midst of desolations as described in this psalm, we look up and seeing God’s sovereignty, we rest in confidence of God’s exalted power and presence.  When we believe with certainty that God is present, powerful, and provides all the resources we need in the situation, God’s gift of peace settles upon us and calms our hearts.  Therefore, we will not fret.

Yes, we may be facing an uncertain and frightening tomorrow or experiencing a very painful situation today – the earth and mountains may be shaking with storms and earthquakes of all kinds – yet the psalmist assuredly declares that God is able to protect, provide, and lead us through the threatening event or situation. Because we know and trust the Lord to always keep his promises to us, we can say:

“I will not fear – I have a fortress, a place of refuge and protection. 

I will not faint – I have a river of refreshing resources from God. 

 I will not fret – I see the rainbow of God’s sovereignty and majestic glory over all the earth. 

Are we worthy of such help?  Of course not.  But God does not help us because we are worthy.  He helps us because He loves us and is gracious toward us.

It was when Martin Luther was going through a personal storm he meditated on Psalm 46 and was inspired to write, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”  If we can grasp the message of this hymn, and trust the God that this hymn exalts, I believe we also will discover the secret of living with calm confidence in the midst of fear-filled uncertainty.

“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”  Amen.

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – September 19, 2018