Psalm 46:1-7

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;” vss. 1-2

The psalmist knew about the ravages wrought by earthquakes and rapidly changing environments. Wars and invasions were an ever-present threat, and the unthinkable often became a reality. In other words, he knew all about our times, and composed for us a word of hope, and admonished us not to be afraid. His psalm has been read with thanksgiving in every time of tribulation and uncertainty, and even inspired Luther’s great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” And certainly its timeless truths are most welcome in our own times of divisiveness and distress. We need to hear, more than ever, that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. God is not somewhere far away and we have not been abandoned. Indeed, God is as close as our heartbeat, an intimate presence that brings a spirit of peace and serenity that soothes our anxious souls. And it’s not just our wishful thinking or vivid imaginations that brings God close. The God of the psalmist and Luther. and every one of us, is as real as real can be. That’s such good news when we’re at the ends of our ropes with nowhere else to turn. And this is the best news: even if we don’t believe it, it’s still true! And always will be!

Thought for the Day: How can God be real if I don’t believe?