Healing Rays of Righteousness

What happened last Wednesday in our nation’s capital was despicable as a violent attempt to destroy our nation’s foundational constitution and democracy.  It was an ugly and destructive  effort to overturn the fair and factual results of our presidential election.  It was a declared war on truth by the president and  those who have chosen to believe lies and conspiracy theories because they do not like nor accept a reality of truth and facts. 

Most grievous is that many who supported and participated in the awful frightening event call themselves Christian and followers of Jesus, whose teachings and behaviors are antithetical to what they had chosen to believe and do. 

In personal conversations I have warned of the dangers of QAnon and its insidious influence in the Christian church.  QAnon evangelists have been successful in attracting and capturing the Christians whose primary  interest is in discovering signs of  “end time” events.  By framing their deep, dark universe of lies and suspicions with biblical apocalyptic scriptures, QAnon has made their deceitful and dreadful message exciting and believable to many, including Donald Trump.

How should you and I, who claim to have faith in God, respond to these threatening situations?  The events of last week  and the continuing tense and threatening situation in our nation can cause many of us, even though deeply rooted in the Jesus way of Christian faith, to lean into uncertainty and fear.  In such times, I find strength, encouragement and resolve in Psalm 46.

This psalm is a statement of faith declaring God oversees history, and that he is more than adequate for every difficult and threatening event of life, so we do not need to be afraid.  This psalm encourages us to always trust God in every circumstance, including the difficult ones.

The writer of this psalm reckoned with the possibility that God may allow the worst to happen in our world and life.  Nevertheless, 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.

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 we look up and see God’s sovereignty, we can 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.  The psalmist concludes in verse 11, “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”  Therefore, we will not fret.

Martin Luther was going through a personal storm when he meditated on Psalm 46 and was inspired to write the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing. Our helper he amid 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.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.  Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus, it is he! Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.

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.

That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth.  The Spirit and the gifts are ours, through 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.

If we can trust the God that this hymn exalts, I believe we will also discover the secret of living with a calm confidence while in the midst of frightening uncertainties.  Amen!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 13, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley