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.
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.

Psalm 46:1-11

‍

As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
Psalm 42:1

• This is a psalm of the sons of Korah, of the tribe of Levi. 
• God is a refuge when the earth falls apart. 
• This psalm is a psalm of worship in which the author praises God for being a refuge to His people when the world around them is in chaos. 
• He began with the words, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). 
• The psalmist’s confidence in God was resilient. 
• It didn’t matter if the earth was torn from beneath his feet, the mountains were rocked by earthquakes, or he was barreled over by a flood of rushing waters, he knew God could get him through anything.
• In contrast to the destructive flood waters that figuratively threatened other places, the author spoke of a safe city, a glad city, that was fed by a river.
• Jerusalem, the “city of God,” was protected from outside calamities because it was the place of God’s presence.
• “God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns” (Psalm 46:5 ESV). 
• God preserved Jerusalem. It was not the will of men, but of God. 
• If God was determined to destroy a nation, it didn’t matter how hard they fought against Him, with just a word He could melt them from off the face of the earth (Psalm 46:6). 
• The psalmist invited people to think about the incredible acts of God and how He works to govern the world. 
• The psalmist encourages us to pause and ponder the fact that God is God, and we are not. 
• God is in control, and He will ensure that His name is “exalted in the earth.” 
• Nothing will prevent it from happening.
• A person can plot and plan and spend anxious hours in preparation, but if God isn’t on their side, their effort will come to nothing. 
• It’s better to be still, to trust God in quiet contentment, and to affix your will to His… knowing He is the best guide and the safest protector.

The nations are in chaos. Be still and know that He is God…He knows all, He sees all, and His plan will be accomplished. And we will rejoice!