Topic: God is my Refuge
Psalm 46 is a hymn of praise. Hezekiah, Isaiah, or an unknown poet of Judah could have written this but chiefly what we should remember is this: in the face of earth-shaking circumstances, we will not fear because God oversees everything.
The Back Story of Psalm 46: the attack of Sennacherib from Assyria on Jerusalem when Hezekiah was the king (II Chronicles 32).
• The Assyrians are marching out of the north pushing south through Syria, then Israel, and now have arrived in Judah.
• The Assyrian armies had left in their wake smoke-blackened ruins of cities, strewn corpses of the dead, and great fear of those who remained.
• Hezekiah in Jerusalem had sent tribute money in hopes to buy off this ruthless invader which initially worked until Sennacherib began to have second thoughts.
• He sends in a man named Rabshakeh with a demand that Hezekiah open the gates of Jerusalem and let the invaders in.
• In the meantime, Hezekiah consults the Prophet Isaiah. He is directed to refuse the demands of Sennacherib.
• Once Rabshakeh finds out the news, he starts to mock and scorn the people of God. He notifies Sennacherib who surrounds Jerusalem with his entire army of 185,000 men.
• But in the night, the Lord sends one angel who devastates the entire army and wipes them out.
God our immovable refuge. (vv. 1-3)
In this psalm, we first see an immovable refuge. The psalmist sets forth immediately with great encouragement—God is a refuge. That expression is used nine different times in the Psalms (14:6; 18:2; 46:1; 61:3; 62:7-8; 71:7; 73:28; 91:2; 91:9). Because the Lord fills this role, there is never a need for a child of God to fear no matter what perils are against him. We are safe when we place our trust in the Lord.
God our inexhaustible river. (vv. 4-7)
This is a reference to a river. This is more than just a creek or brook that runs through the city. It is a constantly flowing source of refreshment.
God’s river is a reminder that His instructions will always supply your every need.
- Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed. God sent an angel to destroy the enemy.
- In John 4, Jesus satisfied the thirst of the woman at the well.
God our invincible ruler. (vv. 8-11)
Verse eight instructs us to look, gaze, focus, see, grasp, comprehend, behold the works of the Lord. Things looked very troubling, but the Lord met the battle head on and he destroyed the work of the enemy.
Verse ten instructs us to “be still and know that I am God…”
It is easy to be fearful when we find ourselves up against great difficulties. But God is faithful! He will always bring you through for He will be exalted among the nations.
See you Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem