Scripture:
Psalm 46:1-11 ESV
[1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way. Still, the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, [3] though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah [4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. [5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. [6] The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, and the earth melts. [7] The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah [8] Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. [10] “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” [11] The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Observation:
I see the book of Psalms as a book of songs and prayers. Korah was probably facing some really heavy turmoil. But he knew where to go. His trust in the LORD as a refuge was made clear in this psalm. In the first few verses, he expresses… it doesn’t matter what it looks like. GOD has got this. His world may have been falling down around him, but he knew who’s he was, and that gave him confidence. He would not let his vision get sidetracked by the way things looked. By bragging on GOD, he reassured not only himself but all those around him. In this psalm, he is basically saying… I know what it looks like, but do you know the GOD I serve? I know it looks impossible. But the LORD parted the Red Sea. Don’t you remember? Let’s not forget who’s we are. All our lives, we have heard and seen the amazing things the LORD has done… this is just another opportunity for HIM to show out. Look war after war HE has given us victory. Why would it be any different now? HE brought a giant to his knees with a rock, HE made the sun stand still in the sky, and the walls came down with the sound of the trumpet. There is no difference between what HE did then and what we are facing now. Korah was saying, “Let’s praise HIM for the amazing GOD that HE is and know that HE is going to deliver us.”
Application:
How often do we get caught up in what a situation looks like? Do you ever just stand back and grab your head, thinking… this is impossible. It can’t be done. I’m just going to be honest here and say I do. Sometimes, it’s just hard to see a way out or through what you are facing. I think in those moments, it’s easy to focus on the problem and forget HE is the solution. The way maker. HE won’t leave you in Egypt. HIS desire for you is the promised land. I love Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding acknowledge HIM in all your ways, and HE will make your path straight. Let’s not forget the GOD we serve. I have to make this statement… if you have big problems, you serve a little GOD… but if you serve a great big GOD, you have tiny problems. That’s the perspective we need to stand on. Over the last 7 years, I have been leaning on my own understanding of a situation in my life not seeing a way out. My deepest desire is to be obedient to what GOD wants from me. So it was hard to see the clear path. The weeds in the sidewalk were blocking my view. I have recently let go of that issue, given it completely to HIM, knowing that HE is bigger than my broken marriage. It’s not my battle. No, I don’t really understand it. However, that doesn’t matter. The battle is HIS, but the victory is mine. I have learned a lot in this time. I know that HIS way is the only way. That doesn’t mean it will be without issues. So it’s always important to remember if HE did it before HE will do it again. Only when I take my hands off my problems can GOD put HIS hands on them… mine are in the way. My job is to praise HIM no matter what it looks like. HE is the GOD of the impossible.
Prayer:
Father, as I write this, I see how truly amazing you are. I have to say what a mighty GOD we serve. I never want to step outside of your will. So I ask that you protect that in my life. I know that your way is not my way. So I release my ways and cling to yours. In the mighty name of Jesus. I know you are the way maker. You gave us victory. When we could see no other way, you knocked the walls down around our hearts and made your way in. Thank you. The battle is yours, but the victory is ours because that’s just who you are. Let us never forget how incredibly big you are. You are bigger than any problem we face. Thank you for loving us when we could not or would not love ourselves. You honestly never stop amazing me. Just when I think that is the biggest miracle I have ever seen. It’s like I see a smirk and hear a laugh, then the words watch this. We know you are good, and let us always remember just how good. It’s in Jesus’ name. I pray, amen.