Reformation Sunday: Psalm, Psalm 46                               

Psalm 46

The readings for “Reformation Sunday” in our 3-year lectionary are magnificent. The epistle reading from Romans for the week displays the GUTS of the gospel. I’m going to let our pastor make much of Christ in his preaching of that text this weekend. So I chose this morning to share some thoughts on the Psalm chosen for the morning, Psalm 46.

It begins with words appropriate for every day of the year. But these words may have a special ring and weight to our current situation in the United States, indeed in the entire West. 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear; even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling” (Psalm 46:1-3).

Are those not magnificent words? And they point to something we all require: knowledge that Someone has everything under control. When you study gender characteristics (a highly volatile question to raise at all in our world these days) one thing you find regularly reported is that women crave security. That may be true, but in these topsy-turvy times I am wont to desire a bit of that myself. And as a man, I don’t think that is a weakness in any way.

When I was little I loved hearing my dad pull into the driveway at the end of the day. My daddy was home. I was safe. I loved hearing his heavy footsteps ascend our stairway at night, creaking the second step of the second flight. Daddy was on our floor. I was safe. 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Daddy (reverently) is home. He is on His throne. His love is well proven and come what may, I am safe. Today, and all the days He gives me. And so are you. God be praised!