The psalmists help us to know our God more deeply, recognizing all that He is and our need for Him each day.
Psalm 46
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” (verse 1, NASB)
The very first verse reminds us of the absolute dependability of our God. The word “trouble” means “to be in a tight spot or backed into a corner and unable to get out on our own” (source unknown).
When we find ourselves in these situations, the psalmist tells us “to be still.” We are to literally stop trying to control or manage those situations, and let God work in His time and in His way.
The study brought three powerful sentences:
“God is our refuge or shelter, and He is our strength.”
“Nothing can move us, shake us, or separate us from our God.”
“What a reminder for us to open His Word and learn who He is so that our hearts can be stilled before Him.”
A stilled heart is one that has learned Who He is.
The study asks: What does it mean to be still?
How do you still your heart when anxiety comes creeping in?
~*~*~
Psalm 48
I loved a portion of the opening sentence from the study:
” … it is in looking at Him that we gain confidence to face this life.” (from Wait by The Daily Grace Co.)
We must look to Him – continually and daily – and the only way we will be able to do this is by looking into His Word.
The psalmist writes:
- “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.” (verse 1, NASB)
- “God, in her palaces, Has made Himself known as a stronghold.” (verse 3, NASB)
- “We have thought on Your lovingkindness, O God.” (verse 9, NASB)
As we praise Him, come to know Him as our stronghold or refuge, and think on His lovingkindness, will we then come to tell about Him to the next generation.
The study asks: How does who God is impact our daily lives? How does thinking on His love change our perspective?
When I think about His love, it leads me to worship, to telling about Him and what He has done.
What about you? How does thinking on His love change your perspective?
~*~*~
Psalm 50
Here we are quickly reminded of who our God is – He is The Mighty One.
This psalm is a reminder to worship God. But it is even more. It is a reminder that He wants more from us – He wants a transformed heart. He wants a heart of worship. He wants us.
“He does not need our sacrifice, but He desires our surrender … He desires thankfulness, obedience, and prayer … He wants us to recognize that we need Him.” (from Wait by The Daily Grace Co.)
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
(verse 15, NASB)
He wants us to want Him, to come to Him as our source of help. When we are able to do everything for ourselves, we become independent, maybe even arrogant, thinking we need no one and nothing.
But we need Him. We need Him more than we even realize for we need Him every hour.
The study asks: How does recognizing our need lead to greater satisfaction?
The more we recognize our need, the more we receive of Him. And the more satisfied in Him we become.
~*~*~
Know Him.
Praise Him.
Call on Him.
Image 1: by Clara TCHOUBÉ from Pixabay
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Thanks for sharing these reflections, Joanne. I appreciate the reminder that being still means to stop trying to control or manage situations.
Psalm 46:1 is one of my favorite verses, Joanne. Thanks for another great post.