Read
(A special song by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)
God Is Our Mighty Fortress
1God is our mighty fortress,
always ready to help
in times of trouble.
2And so, we won't be afraid!
Let the earth tremble
and the mountains tumble
into the deepest sea.
3Let the ocean roar and foam,
and its raging waves
shake the mountains.
4A river and its streams
bring joy to the city,
which is the sacred home
of God Most High.
5God is in that city,
and it won't be shaken.
He will help it at dawn.
6Nations rage! Kingdoms fall!
But at the voice of God
the earth itself melts.
7The Lord All-Powerful
is with us.
The God of Jacob
is our fortress.
8Come! See the fearsome things
the Lord has done on earth.
9God brings wars to an end
all over the world.
He breaks the arrows,
shatters the spears,
and burns the shields.
10Our God says, “Calm down,
and learn that I am God!
All nations on earth
will honor me.”
11The Lord All-Powerful
is with us.
The God of Jacob
is our fortress.
Reflect
God is our help in times of trouble. That’s the good news! But there’s good news and bad news. The rest of the story is that God doesn’t exempt us from trouble (compare John 16:33).
This world will never be free from sin and suffering. Catastrophe stalks the earth. There are landslides and tsunamis (v 2), storms and earthquakes (v 3), wars and rumours of wars (v 6).
But we don’t face them alone; God is a safe place, a ready help when we turn to him (v 1), and the Almighty who is with us (v 11).
Sing it out for all to hear! Three choruses of praise. For God’s …
– protecting us from the ravages of nature (vv 1-3)
– presence amidst the raging nations (vv 4-7)
– position to judge the rebel armies (vv 8-11)
Sing, sing, sing! A threefold thanksgiving refrain. For God’s our …
– refuge (v 1)
– resource (v 4)
– ruler (v 10)
Keep on singing! “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing/Our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing./For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe,/his craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,/On earth is not his equal. . . . That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth./The Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth./Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;/The body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still,/His kingdom is forever.” Martin Luther. [Or listen to Chris Rice singing this hymn – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bONV_YZCKdg ]
Respond
Amidst the turmoil, trouble and tragedy in this world, I will be still and know that you are God. Thank you that you are with us, the great I AM. Help me to take heart and abide in you. Amen.
Lawson Murray
Lawson is the President of Scripture Union Canada and the Managing Editor of theStory™. Lawson takes every opportunity to enthusiastically invite people of all ages to connect with Jesus and His Story. He says, “We have been given the greatest story ever - God's Story! Should we not, with all our might and energy immerse ourselves in it? I believe we should. For without the Story we really have nothing to offer the millions who hunger and thirst for something more. But, with God’s Story we have what everyone needs!” Publications: jumpintotheword - Bible Engagement Blog; iConnect: Life words for growth, for story, for community; Bible Engagement Basics; Seize the Day: Meditations for the Year.