WEATHER FORECAST: STRONG THUNDERSTORMS

May 4, 2009

WEATHER FORECAST: STRONG THUNDERSTORMS

Psalm 46

Candace Boutin

Central Truth

God will always be there for us even in times of trouble. We find our strength in Him.

God is our strong refuge;
he is truly our helper in times of trouble.
(Psalm 46:1)

God Is Our Fortress

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.^{1

46:1
Probably a musical or liturgical term} A Song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present^{2

46:1
Or well proved} help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though 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, 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

Footnotes

[1] 46:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
[2] 46:1 Or well proved

We all have a lot of people who come and go in our lives. Do you still keep in touch with your best friend from high school? I do, but over the years, I have lost touch with many friends from high school and college. When I was in college and facing troubles, I would turn to certain friends for comfort. Those friends are not the same friends today. The great thing about the Lord is that He is always present. He is always there for us. He promises, "'I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.'" (Hebrews 13:5b)
When storms come, we can take comfort in knowing the Lord will be there to guide us. After all, He is not afraid of storms. He is the one with the ability to calm them. (Mark 4:35-41) Sometimes storms come into our lives that feel like a light thunderstorm, and other storms feel like Hurricane Katrina. No matter how big or small our current storm, we can find our strength in the Lord. “The God of Jacob is our protector!” (Psalm 46:7b, 11b)
The dictionary defines a fortress as “a place of exceptional security, a stronghold.” God is my stronghold. No friend or family member now or in the past can make me feel as strong a sense of security as I do with God. I am very thankful to have great friends and family who are there with me when storms come into my life. But I am eternally blessed to have a God to whom I can always turn and who will be there to help me get through the storms of life.

1. Are you currently in the middle of a storm in your life?
2. Why do you think God brings storms into our lives?
3. Have you ever doubted God when you were in the middle of a major storm in your life?
4. Is there a way to prepare for storms in your life? Is your house built on rock or sand? (Matthew 7:24-27)