WHEN BROUGHT LOW – LOOK UP (PSALM 46)
On the first day of the invasion of Normandy, 1500 American soldiers were killed. At Pearl Harbor, 2500 Americans were killed. At Antiteham or Sharpsburg, 4700 Americans were killed during the Battle of Bloody Angle. Throughout American history, the Battle of Bloody Angle stood as the single deadliest day in American history. But on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, a tragedy and an act of aggression was carried out on American soil that took more lives than Pearl Harbor and D-Day combined and more lives that the Battle of Bloody Angle. It was undoubtedly the darkest day in our history.
As the dust settles and the fires subside in New York, how do we face this calamity? How do we face any the great calamities of life? Psalm 46 offers us God’s answer. When Martin Luther read Psalm 46 he wrote, “We sing this Psalm to the praise of God, because God is with us, and powerfully and miraculously preserves and defends his church and his word, against all fanatical spirits, against the gates of hell, against the implacable hatred of the devil, and against all the assaults of the world, the flesh and sin..” Consider what Psalm 46 teaches us about facing hard times and healing deep wounds.
I. The Calamities of Life (vv.2-3)
A. The Reality of Calamities
Calamities are a reality to all of us. There are times when everything in our world gets turned upside down. As verse two says, there are times the earth is moved. There are times that all our plans and preconceived notions are abruptly changed. Sometimes the waters roar and the mountains shake (v.3). It seems as everything is against us and out to destroy us.
No one is exempt from these realities! Whether it is a national tragedy that involves millions or a lone person sobbing in a hospital waiting room after learning their loved one has died in the night, tragedy in life is a reality.
B. Our Reaction to Calamities
Since we all face calamities in life the more important question is, “How do we react to them?” It is important at this point to remind ourselves that even in such hard times, God always has a plan in the midst of them! Romans 8:28-29 promises us that God is in control even when we can’t see it.
The truth is that God often uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It was the broken Jesus who gave us life. And it is broken families, cities, and nations who will rally and become stronger. Just like a broken bone is stronger after it heals. God promises, as we heard in our reading, that He will make all things work out for the good of those who love Him. Don’t forget that when you find yourself in the midst of a calamity. First, be sure that you are one of those who has put their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. That relationship is our sure foundation when the earth is shaken.
When the earth moves we can stand firm. Charles Wesley wrote in a hymn:
How happy then are we,
Who build, O Lord, on thee!
What can our foundation shock?
Though the shattered earth remove,
Stands our city on a rock,
On the rock of heavenly love.”
At times our foundations are shaken. It seems like everything is coming apart and beneath us. But those who put their faith in God will not be swallowed up by such events. We have a firm foundation in God!
When the waters roar and the mountains shake we can stand firm. As Charles Spurgeon wrote: “Faith rests on a firmer basis, and is not to be moved by swelling seas. Evil may ferment, wrath may boil, and pride may foam, but the brave heart of holy confidence trembles not.” Even when everything seems to be against us, Christians can remain at peace. This doesn’t mean we will never go through storms for we do. It means Christ is with us in the storm and he brings peace in the midst of that storm.
II. The Comfort of Our God (vv.1,8b-9,10,11)
A. He Is a Powerful God (v.1)
We find comfort in a powerful God. The Hebrew word for God is Elohim, the God above all so-called gods. Whenever the word Elohim is used in the Bible it is in the plural. This doesn’t mean God is many Gods. He is one God who comes to us in a fullness that is beyond imagination. Most of the time Elohim is translated LORD. The is the God who is truly God. All others are pitiful imitators.
When Moses and Aaron faced Pharaoh in the Book of Exodus they were in a war between the false gods of Egypt and the true and powerful God of the Universe. God proved Himself powerful over all of those false gods. It is important to note however, that that struggle didn’t end over night. There was a protracted battle between God and those false gods of Pharaoh. It took some time.
The question then arises, “Why?” Why does God delay in prosecuting His judgment against evil? God had a purpose in the delay. Sometimes he is allowing time for the repentance of unbelievers. Sometimes He is seeking to provoke His people to believe in Him. Whatever His reasons, embrace the words of W.A. Criswell, “The gristmill of God’s justice grinds ever so slow but ever so fine.” He knows what He is doing. Trust Him!
B. He Is a Protecting God (v.1)
God is also a protecting God. He is our refuge and strength. Make that personal. He is my refuge and strength. He is your refuge and strength. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence” (Psalm 91:1-3). “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10). God is a “tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation” (Isaiah 28:16).
C. He Is a Present God (v.1)
Verse one tells us that God is a very present help in trouble. He is both powerful and speedy in being with us in our calamities. We have all watched the scenes of what has transpired during and since the terrorist attack on New York and the Pentagon. We have heard the stories of people searching frantically for family. We have shared in the agony of displaced people hoping they will find help. This calamity touches all of us in one way or another. Some like my wife and I have spent hours hoping they would hear from their son before he went off to fight a war. We can’t always be present in trouble, but God always is.
Specifically, God is present with His Church. There is a river who streams shall make glad the city of God (v.4). There is a safe place in the midst of the calamities of life. There is no doubt in this passage that the river is God. God the Father is our river. He is the “the fountain of living waters” (Jeremiah 2:13). God the Son is our river. Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). God the Holy Spirit is a river. John 4:14 says, “But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).
That river flows through the city of God. In this age, the city of God is the Church. And what a city the Church is. When you are part of Christ’s Church consider how safe a city you reside in. We are covered with the roof of God’s grace. We are surrounded by the walls of faith. We are built on best foundation, God’s Word We have the best communication system, Prayer. We have the best defense system, The Hoy Spirit. We have the best commander and chief, Jesus Christ.
God’s river flows through the church. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved (v.5a). But what about the present problems we find ourselves in? When is God going to do something? God shall help her, just at the break of dawn (v.5b). Just when we feel most alone, God is most here! God will be with you through the dark times of life. Even when we are in the darkness of calamity, He is here! - “…in the night His song is with me” (Psalm 42:8). Whatever darkness you find yourself remember this; the night won’t last forever.
“I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the Lord, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:1-5)
III. The Calling to Believers (vv.2,8a,10a)
A. Don’t Panic (v.2)
Calamities are real and God is a comforting God. God’s people also have a calling when going through trials. The Psalmist affirms, therefore we will not fear (v.1). Does this mean the times are not frightening? Certainly not. It means in frightening times, look to God and He will give you something greater than fear. Jesus promised, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Psalm 37 offers some much needed advice for hard times. When times are frightening: Trust in the Lord (v.3), Delight yourself in God alone (v.4), Commit yourself to Him (v.5), Trust Him (v.5), Rest in Him (v.7), Don’t fret – don’t be wrapped in fear – be wrapped in God (vv.7-8)
B. Do Pause (v.8)
It is easy to let our calamities overwhelm us till we lose sight of God. Get still long enough to remember who God is and what He is doing. We need to wait and behold the works of God (v.8). Remember what He has done and what He surely will do. Get still long enough to see things from God’s perspective. We haven’t read the end of the book. Only God knows how the story will end.
There is an old Norwegian tale about a fisherman who, with his two sons, went out on a daily fishing run. The catch was good; but by mid-afternoon a sudden storm blotted out the shoreline, leaving the men groping for the direction home. Meanwhile, a fire broke out in the kitchen of their rustic cottage. Before it could be extinguished, the fire had destroyed the family’s earthly possessions. Finally, the father and sons were able to row their boat ashore. The man’s wife was waiting to tell him the tragic news of the fire. "Karl, fire has destroyed everything," she said tearfully. "We have nothing left." But Karl was unmoved by the news. Didn’t you hear me?" she asked. "The house is gone!" "Yes, I hear you," replied Karl. "But a few hours ago were lost at sea. For hours I thought we would perish. Then something happened: I saw a yellow dim glow in the distance. It grew larger and larger. We turned our boat toward the light. The same blaze which destroyed our home was the light that saved our lives"
We don’t know where this calamity or others will lead us. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. But we do know who our God is. When calamities come remember that God is with us. The Lord of Hosts is with us (v.11). As John Wesley lay dying he tried to speak. At last, with all the strength he had, he cried out, "The best of all is, God is with us." Again, raising his hand, and waving it in triumph, he exclaimed with thrilling effect, "The best of all is, God is with us." Do you know that God is with you? God is only with us in the person of Jesus Christ. Trust in Him as Lord and Savior. If you are a Christian, remember who your God is and look to Him. When you have been brought low, look up!
