Never Alone in the Battle
By Dean Collins
Occasionally, someone asks, “What is your favorite passage of scripture?” That is a tough question! If you look at the online Bible I use each morning, there are hundreds of scriptures I have highlighted! Each highlighted passage spoke to me with power, conviction, direction, or comfort at a particular moment. The word of God is living and active, and the Holy Spirit uses the Bible to meet us in our moment of need. And while I couldn't name my favorite, I could easily say that Psalm 46 is in my top ten. So many times this psalm of ten verses has moved me, comforted me, slowed me down, reminded me of God's power and presence , and given me hope.
Bible scholars can't be sure of its historical context, but several believe that this psalm was written long after David's life and possibly during the reign of King Hezekiah, when the king of Assyria had Jerusalem surrounded, had seized her neighboring cities, had mocked God, and was about to take her captive. King Hezekiah prayed, and God diverted the Assyrian army through a rumor and 185,000 of the Assyrian army were killed and Jerusalem was left standing.
There is no way of knowing how much opposition surrounds us at any given moment. Some days and for some seasons it seems obvious that the enemy of God is lurking and actively interfering with the kingdom work we are called to do. As I reflect on the last 20 years leading Point University, I recall several seasons when there was difficulty, including many setbacks. There were days I simply laughed at the new situation which seemed highly improbable, yet the improbable did happen. And while I will confess to some days of discouragement, I can testify to God's constant abiding provision and comfort. And Psalm 46 was and is a go to verse time and time again.
While you and I may wish that we will not face any more or any harder challenges than we have in our past, we both know that living and serving in the brokenness of this world will always be a roller coaster. There will be times of ease, but there will certainly be unexpected moments of struggle and opposition. Jesus said that in this world there will trouble. While we wish we knew when and what those troubles will include, none of us has been given a calendar of future events. What we were given was a promise that we never have to face our challenges alone. As Psalm 46 reminds us, we have a refuge and strength to face our challenges because God is our ever present help in time of need.
One last thought about Psalm 46. While each of us have individual struggles and often need help and direction, this psalm is for our community. Note these phrases:
God is our refuge and strength..,
Therefore we will not fear…
The Lord of hosts is with us…
The God of Jacob is our fortress…
While we may have a tendency to focus on our individual challenges, we can use this psalm to remind us of the challenges in our various communities where we live, work, worship, and serve. Out of God’s overwhelming love, mercy, and grace, he sent his son Jesus to save us and unite us as his family. We together are called to be the family of God and to be ambassadors of God’s grace and mercy to others. So yes, pray for yourself with this psalm, but don’t forget the community that God has called us to be.
God is our refuge.
Father, thank you for this powerful verse that reminds us of who you are and of your constant care for us. Today as we pray as a community, asking you to be the refuge and strength for our homes, our churches, and our cites. We silence ourselves before you now and desire to know you, hear from you, and serve others as we serve you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Psalms 46:1-10 ESV
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