*This post is part of a series looking at the Psalms to encourage your heart towards singing God’s praise all throughout the day. For the rest of the series, go to: Psalms of Praise. Come along with me as we dive into the Psalms and praise God’s name together! *
As I ran around this morning jumping from helping one kid with something to the other, I was thinking: “How can I be still before the Lord in this chaos where someone needs help every second?” I had just read Psalm 46 a few hours before and was meditating on what that looks like in my everyday life. I’m not going to feed you my thoughts as to what that might look like, but I pray that as you read Psalm 46 today, that you will meditate on what this looks like in your own life, what this meant to the Psalmist in this passage, and ask God to reveal how to be still before Him as you go throughout your day.
Psalm 46: God Is Our Fortress
To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.
1 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
Questions to ponder as you meditate on this passage:
- What do you learn about God’s character from this passage that you can praise Him for?
- What does it mean for God to be your refuge? Your strength?
- What works of the Lord can you look back on and remember in your life and how is He working now?
- When the world is in chaos or seems to be shattering around you, how can you be still in God’s presence and recognize and praise Him for who He is?
Spend time responding in prayer to our great God and praising his name.
Faithful God, I thank you that you are my refuge and strength. You are my safety, my shelter, and my fortress when I am weak. I praise you that because of who you are, I don’t have to fear for I know your presence is with me. Lord, as I look back on all that you have done in the past, both in history and in my own life, I am so thankful for your character that is unchanging, steadfast, and the same yesterday, today, and forever. You have been my strength and my rock throughout every storm life has brought. Cause my heart to be still before you and know that you are God. That you are in control and sovereign over all. That no matter what life brings, you are with me as my mighty fortress. Draw my heart to rest in you as I meditate on your character and your goodness. I praise you for the promise that you will be exalted among the nations- that your name will be made known in all the earth! Cause the nations to praise you and to be still before you. Open all of our eyes to see your power, majesty, and sovereign hand at work everyday. Continue to focus my heart on you as I go about the everyday moments of my day, to find rest, joy, strength, and peace in your name. As I meditate on your goodness, transform me to make me more like Christ and to praise you all day long. Thank you that you are with me always. Amen!
If this post was encouraging to you as you spent time with God, don’t just keep it to yourself- share it with a friend! Part of my desire with this series is to encourage you to sing God’s praise in the everyday moments of life, but to also come alongside someone else in doing this in their lives as well. So think: Who could you invite to join you in spending time pondering the Psalms this week? Someone you’re discipling? Your husband or children? A friend that you know needs encouragement? Bring someone alongside you and share with one another how God is drawing your heart to praise throughout your day. And please share with me below how you are praising God through the Psalms as well. Let’s praise his name together!
“Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.” Psalm 28:6-9
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