I’m watching the news this morning. You know, of course, what I am seeing and hearing: The results of the recent presidential election are being contested and the current administration is refusing to aid the incoming administration with the transition. The coronavirus is spreading quickly and is overwhelming hospitals again. Cases are surging and death rates will follow. It sure looks like the next month or two will be incredibly challenging for all of us.
I feel my anxiety increase. I fear what could happen. We see the troubles before us — our church, our families, nation and world. What to do? Where to turn? I turned the TV off and opened up Psalm 46. That’s what I want to share with you today.
The Psalm offers hope and good news. It claims that God is our refuge. God is our strength. God is our always present and available helper. Though mountains fall, waters roar and the earth shakes we are invited NOT to fear because God is our shelter. We are invited to live in the faith that the Most High God dwells in our midst and speaks a word more powerful than any nation in turmoil. This Psalm says God is like a fortress, a castle, a sanctuary, a safe hiding place for us.
You don’t need safe shelter until the emergency tornado warning siren rings! When it does, you rush to your safe place… a basement room or some other shelter away from windows… in order to survive. When you fear, when wars rage, fires burn, spears fly and kingdoms face desolation, turn to God for help and hold on to God for protection!
God is present and will not fail us. God will help and acts in power to save. “Be still and know me. I will be exalted in the earth” says God.
