Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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We will not fear
 
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (v. 1)
When struck by calamities in our lives, what is our response? It usually turns out to be “Why God? Why me?” questions. On the other hand, this Psalm tells us that during troubled times “We will not fear” (Psalm 46:2). As we read the first few lines of this psalm, we will be struck by the examples that were introduced by “though”. Though the earth should change, though the mountains shake…  though its waters roar…  though the mountains tremble… All kinds of disastrous scenarios are placed before us including earthquakes, avalanches, floods and tsunamis.
God’s Promise
Since God is our refuge, we will not fear. He is our refuge. He is our strength. The events that happen may surprise us but it does not surprise Him. Our God is in control of all the events happening in the world and they occur exactly as He has planned or permitted them. Why do adversities happen? God does not need to explain it.  The Creator does not need to explain to the created. It would be like a brilliant potter explaining to some clay.
What should our response be, when we face these disasters? As His servant, we should say in response, "We will not fear. Though we don't understand it, we will not fear. Even though we may lose something that's precious to us, we will not fear. We will not blame, we will not doubt, and we will not question." There will be no out-of-control anxieties. Why? Because God is our refuge. There will be no exaggerated feelings of uneasiness, because God is our refuge. There will be no morning dread or evening desperation or lingering depression. Why? Because God is our refuge.  "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold" (v. 7).
 How can we be sure?  How can we not be moved?   How can we not fear?   How can we face an uncertain future?  Verse eight announces, "Come." It says, in effect, "Come here . . come here." It's an invitation asking us to go back into history. Remember the past.
 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. (v. 8-9)As the psalmist ends this section, he makes the same statement as when he concluded the psalm: "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah)"
 Prayer: Lord God, heavenly Father. Lord, we will not fear, though catastrophes occur. We will not be moved, though we are at war. Because we know Lord, that You are our refuge and strength.  

Thought for the day: Why should we fear the unknown future as long as we know that God is in-charge?
 
Wilson David, MTC, Seattle
 

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