Written by Bailey Jensky
Read through this Psalm with me in the Passion Translation.
Psalm 46
"God, you're such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You're a proven help in time of trouble- more than enough and always available whenever I need you.
So we will never fear even when every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea.
For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves cannot erode our faith in you.
God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams bring joy and delight to His people. His river flows right through the city of God Most High, into His holy dwelling places.
God is in the midst of His city, secure and never shaken. At daybreak His help will be seen with the appearing of dawn.
When the nations are in uproar with their tottering kingdoms, God simply raises His voice and the earth begins to disintegrate before Him.
Here He comes! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side. The God of Jacob fights for us!
Everyone look! Come and see the breathtaking wonders of our God. For He brings both ruin and revival. He's the one who makes conflicts end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon of war.
Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above all nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.
Here He stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side. The God of Jacob fights for us!"
I don't know why these things are happening. I don't know how this will all turn out. BUT God does. I can't know everything, but what I do know is that I can trust in Him.
He is trustworthy, He is faithful. He is with every one of us every day. He has proven Himself to be all of these things over and over. Because of this, we can remain calm in the midst of the storm. We can be still and know that He is God and He is in control. He is so powerful, He can simply raise His voice to cast away mountains and cause the earth to crumble.
We're in Holy week as I'm writing this and my mind keeps returning to Jesus as He was heading to Jerusalem. He was fully man and fully God, so He knew exactly how this was all going to turn out for Him, but He was still scared. He knew He would suffer a brutal and humiliating death. He knew He would carry the weight of the world's sin on His shoulders. But He did it anyway. He knew it would be worth it. Because after He was crucified, three days later He would rise from the grave, victorious over death and having conquered anything the enemy could use against His people. But, in the moments after He died, who would have seen that outcome coming? What were the disciples feeling? Did they have a hope that this man they had given up everything for would be who He said He was. Even after the apparent defeat of the cross?
In the midst of that storm and pain and confusion, how would they have known Easter was coming?
I then thought about what God could be doing behind the scenes now. In the midst of a pandemic that is causing us to celebrate the resurrection of our Messiah from our living rooms. While the storm of disease and death and disappointment seems to be all around us, can we see our hope on the other side? Can we be still now and trust that God is who He said He is?
I think we can. I have sat back after being knocked down by life so many times this year, and watched in awe as God followed through on His promises. I watched as He brought peace and strength that surpassed any understanding. As He carried me through situations I never would have imagined I could walk through a few years ago. As I struggled and fought through the unimaginable. When life felt like multiple punchlines to a big joke. I heard His still small voice. I felt His arms embrace me when I had nothing left. I remembered the countless times He had already proven Himself faithful, and watched Him do it again. I took a breath and watched angel armies fight on my behalf. Battles I never would have won on my own. I know He is who He says He is because of the suffering and trials I have had to face, and I wouldn't trade away that pain because of it.
So, I can confidently say, as the world is suffering and hope seems lost, there is something glimmering in the distance. There is more than we can see. We just need to be still, trust in Him, and watch Him work in our lives every day. He never left you, He never will. He's there. You just need to take a breath, surrender the control we hold so tightly on to, and look up. Watch as He works miracles every morning.