Monday, January
22, 2018
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times
of trouble. So we will not fear when
earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters
surge!
-
Interlude -
A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred
home of the Most High. God dwells in
that city; it cannot be destroyed. From
the very break of day, God will protect it.
The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here
among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
-
Interlude -
Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he
burns the shields with fire. “Be still,
and know that I am God! I will be
honored by every nation. I will be
honored throughout the world.” The Lord of
Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
-
Interlude -
Psalm 46:1-11(NLT)
By definition an interlude
is a relatively short period of time
between two longer periods, during which something happens that is different
from what has happened before and what follows.[2]
Many of the Psalms were
written to be sung in worship, so the interlude may be a musical instruction
for the choir director. But in the
larger sense an interlude is a time to re-focus and reflect on what has just
been said, because something else is coming.
This Psalm is certainly
about God’s sovereign protection over his creation. But the flow of this Psalm is so welcoming to
all who love God. It starts with all the
trouble on earth, earthquakes, storms and such.
The first interlude gives you a breath to think about it and remember
all the storms of your life.
The next stanza turns
towards Heaven where God reigns supremely and indestructibly, despite the
storms on earth. The silence of interlude
sharpens the contrast of the entire struggle on earth with the blessings of security,
peace and rivers of joy in the presence of God.
The final stanza is an
invitation to come away from the struggle and run into the arms of God, while
He deals with all the rebellion below.
And then…be still…a final
interlude to let the reality of the graciousness of God flood over your soul.
It’s an opportunity, like
the old hymn has it, to know that in the presence of
God it is truly well with my soul!
For You
Today
Living
below in this old sinful world
Hardly
a comfort can afford
Striving
alone to face temptation's sword
Where
could I go but to the Lord
You chew on that as you
hit the Rocky Road…have a blessed day!
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