God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present 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. Psalm 46

The writer of Hebrews calls faith the “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1). This statement is simple in its meaning yet all-encompassing in its explanation of the Christian life. Consider, for a moment, what life should look like for someone who genuinely believes that they are reconciled with God. Consider what life should look like for someone who genuinely believes in the reality that God is now their Father. Consider for a moment, what the emotional life of one who believes that they have been adopted by the God of all the universe should be like.

This psalm is pointed right to our hearts and is giving us no space to live in a practical disbelief of the realities we claim to hold to cerebrally. This psalm confronts us with three truths, which if rightly understood and practically believed should change our countenance and cause all manner of joy and peace in us.

The first truth is that God is our refuge and strength (v1-5, 7, 11). Why yes, all around us is chaos and suffering. Indeed, in us is sin and contradiction. Wherever we turn, we see enemies and tempters, accusers and destroyers. We also see death, pain and sorrow. So what hope is there for the children of God? He is our help. And it would be enough if he sent an angel to come help us. It would be enough if he sent resources to comfort us. But that’s not what the psalmist says He does. He is a very present help in times of trouble. There is a sense in which your help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Ps 121:2), but there is also the sense in which your help is the Lord Himself.

The second truth is that the Lord will bring to nothing your enemies (v6,8-9). The oppressors of God’s people will not enjoy the day that He rouses Himself on His people’s behalf. He will destroy them, and wipe from His people’s eyes every tear. He will crush His people’s enemies, those who oppose the advance of His Son and the holiness of His people. How are you doing in resisting the devil? Have you been taking more defeats than wins these days? The Lord will burn him with an everlasting fire for tormenting you this way. Are you tired of all the spears of temptation hurled at you from every direction? The Lord will bring it all to nothing. No enemy that has ever assailed you as you seek to honour your Father will be spared.

And finally, God will be exalted (v10). You must know, and believe, that you are an actor in a movie that has a set script; the Star of the movie has already won. In all honesty, the movie is over, we’re just waiting for the credits. It is as sure as nothing else, He will be crowned. His purposes will not be thwarted. You only need to be still and know Who it is that is with you.  May God help us to calm our hearts, and wait for the Day where our “faith will become sight.”