“ 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!
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.”
Psalm 46:1-5
Today I am reading Psalm 46, and there’s one particular verse that stands out to me… A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. I think you may also be interested in the way my Bible commentary explains that verse. It says many great cities have rivers flowing through them, sustaining people’s lives by making agriculture possible and facilitating trade with other cities.
Jerusalem had no river, but it had God, who, like a river, sustained the people’s lives. As long as God lived among the people, the city was invincible… God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. But when the people abandoned Him, God no longer protected them, and Jerusalem fell to the Babylonian army.
Just something to think about today. Here’s the rest of the psalm…
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.
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.
Psam 46:6-11