Monday, September 10, 2007

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [b] 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 Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah



Tonight Zach, BP and I had our "wing meeting." We talked about a bunch of little things ("why is the fan in the bathroom always on?") and then studied Psalm 46. BP had a different translation that instead of "Be still and know that I am God" said "Cease striving..." That gave me the picture of a drowning person who is desperately struggling to stay afloat while his would-be rescuer tries to save him in spite of his frantic efforts to save himself. When we let go and trust God, things end up getting a lot easier.

Thought number two: After reading the passage together a few times, I said "I wish I was that guy, it sounds so safe!" In truth, I am that guy, I just don't live like it.

1 comment:

Blake said...

Watchman Nee likes that metaphor. I remember having a similar reaction when I read his "The Normal Christian Life".