I was teaching some kids the Frisbee game this afternoon. There was a lot of bumping around. In fact, some big sized kids just moved the small ones out of positions by their sheer weight. Life can be like that some times, we can be moved out of our positions by the sheer size of the problems. The positions can be our convictions, our goals, or even our faith. How do we keep our “positions” in the midst of adverse circumstances? Today’s psalm teaches us how not be moved by our problems.
Commentary:
Psalm 46:1-3. Trouble is inevitable. It is just how big the trouble is. Some people get annoyed or become fearful by little trouble; others take a much bigger trouble before they crumble. Here the psalmist describes the trouble as big as the mountain sliding into the sea, with the earth shaking. Surly the sight is scary. Yet God’s people who look to God for help will not be moved because they trust in an omnipotent God.
Psalm 46:4-7. The city of God is Jerusalem. True to the saying in this passage, when God dwelled in the city, Jerusalem did not fall. But when the apostasy of the Jews reached its limit, God’s glory then literally left Jerusalem (Ezekiel 11:14-25). Afterward, the city fell at the hand of Babylonians in 605 BC. The earthly Jerusalem did not last forever.
Nevertheless, there is an everlasting Jerusalem in the future. It is not the present Jerusalem in the land of Israel on the map. The book of Revelation describes a heavenly Jerusalem to descend on earth in the future. That Jerusalem is the one that has the presence of our Lord and will last eternally.
Psalm 46:8-11. The previous and the current portions of the psalm are in prophetic language. When God rules in the heavenly Jerusalem, there will be no war on earth. Although it is prophetic, the psalmist invites us to trust in the Lord and to live a life consistent with our faith. In knowing that we will have a victorious future, we ought to give up strive in this life. Giving up strive does not mean that we do not have struggles. It means that we will not hold onto the world and the desire of it as if it is the only thing that matters. We should have confidence that God will provide and should stop making sure that we got our fair share. When God, who is our stronghold, is with us, we will never be moved.
Meditation:
The psalmist said that Jerusalem will not be moved when God was in it. Likewise, if God is in us, we too will never be moved. Surely God did not dwell in Jerusalem forever because of sins; that is why it crumbled. Similarly, when we sin by stopping to put God first in our life, we will be on shaky ground. From our faith to our health and from our witness to our mind, none will prosper.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, following God whole-heartedly is a choice that we have to make and to keep. The reward is tremendous despite the seemingly difficult steps ahead. Keep trusting and doing the work of God and see how God becomes the stronghold in our life.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you that you will be the refuge and strength to those who trust you and follow your will. We thank you that you will let us be in the heavenly Jerusalem when it comes. Let us not be ashamed and let not our enemies triumph over us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
What an a great encouragement – “Cease striving and know that I am God”. Merriam-Webster definition of strive is quarrel; to stuggle in opposition; fight; endeavor. This is indeed great comfort as most of us strive daily on our own strength and perspective. Out of it came frustration and fear.
James 3:17-18
17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
18And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Here God told us to cease and be still. Instead of quarrel, fight, struggle; ask God for wisdom to sow seeds of peace. This is trusting faith at work. Let’s encourage each other to be steadfast in our trusting faith.
Christina
Comment by Christina — July 29, 2010 @ 12:05 pm