“Psalm 46 was written as a refuge for God’s people in this age of suffering. It reminds us that God is in control — even when everything around us seems out of control. It teaches us about the faithfulness and sovereignty of God. Nothing comes into our life that has not first passed through His hand.”

Some of us are facing difficult circumstances that no one knows about. Many have health issues or problems at work, with relationships, or in school. It has been said: “We see through a tear much more than we could ever see through a telescope.” Our true selves are revealed in the way we deal with trials.

When Michelangelo finished his statue of Moses, he tapped the stone shoulder and said, “speak!” People asked him, “How did you get Moses to look so lifelike?” Michelangelo simply said, “I kept chipping away at everything that wasn’t Moses.” This is much like the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, continually chipping away at everything that’s not of Christ through trials.

Psalm 46 was written as a refuge for God’s people in this age of suffering. It reminds us that God is in control—even when everything around us seems out of control. It teaches us about the faithfulness and sovereignty of God. Nothing comes into our life that has not first passed through his hand. At the same time, this psalm holds out a promise. There is a time coming when wars and devastation will cease, for the Lord will reign over all the earth with righteousness and power.

Examining this psalm shows that God will bring everlasting peace by being present to calm His people, comfort His people, and control the nations.

God is Present to Calm his People

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. 
–Psalm 46:1-2

A very present help literally means God is findable. But we know from Romans 1:20 that the power of sin causes us to refuse that truth. Atheists and agnostics exist because of the power of sin over man’s mind. Sin so corrupts us that we ignore all of creation which clearly demonstrates God’s existence. That’s why Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

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