#726 Glory and Honor and Praise

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Psalm 46 ESV

This is a song by the sons of Korah, and yet even another Psalmist wrote, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee." This deserves to be committed to the memory, a book mark, for who would consider fear to be sin. "Be anxious for nothing", the scriptures tell us and here are some good reasons why.

God is our refuge and strength - If your faith is in the Creator of all things then what is man to fear him? What situation is unknown to God? If you belong to God, and want to hear from God, read His letters to His people. 

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10 That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses,in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 11 I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.…2 Corinthians 12: 9-11

A very present help - He not only has knowledge of the situation, but He is also near to it. You can call on Him. Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. 

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” 7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.… Hebrews 13: 5-7

There is a river - When a city was under siege, the attacking force would dam or redirect the water supply. This was not a difficult task in arid lands where there was perhaps only a stream or a small spring. We relate much to the things that cost us the most physically and are vital to our temporal lives. Some men may go some 40 days without food, but no one would last that long without water. No one will enter God's eternal peace without His river of life.

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I will not get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”… John 4: 13-15

God is in the midst of her - The city of God, and again the nations rage, but this is the One Whose word has Created more than what our eyes can see, and Whose word can melt it away. He will not be moved, so stay close to Him. Men will continue to devise evil, to exalt themselves, and even challenge God's rightful place over His creation, but they are futile in their thinking. Though heaven and earth shall pass away His word will remain. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, so though there be wars and rumors of war, stand fast, put your hope in things eternal. Trust Him Who did for you what you could not do for yourself.

Selah is used three times which indicates to me that this is a blessing to meditate upon, how great is our God. If God be for me then who can be against me. Nothing happens outside of His counsel. 

He makes wars cease - The battle belongs to the Lord, and one great day all this contention will end. We, who are redeemed, will worship the only One Who can bring everlasting peace. Men will try to play off this, promise peace, but like those who only clean the outside of the cup, it is vain and without substance. Don't put your trust in men, in the power of money or personality. Trust in God and do not hold tightly to earthly things.

So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), 16 then let those in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house.…Matthew 24: 15-17

Be still - When the disciples feared for their lives upon the sea, Jesus showed Himself to be the Word of God among them by rebuking the storm. Though the earth quakes, the oceans swell, and the universe be rolled up like a scroll, God is above all that and worthy to be praised. 

The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea,and it was perfectly calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”… Matthew 8: 25-27

I will be exalted - No rational mind would say otherwise. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness there of.