Heavenly Devotion: Psalm 46 – A Mighty Fortress is our God

Psalm 46 – A Mighty Fortress is our God

(Written by Tan Yu Chai)

The Lord Almighty is with us : the God of Jacob is our fortress. So stated the refrain in v7 and v11 of this favourite Psalm of Martin Luther and hence, it inspired Luther to pen in his own word the great hymn ‘A Mighty Fortress is our God’.

God is both of the refuge, the stronghold into which we can flee and a source of inner strength by which we can face calamities. And we need such a strong God who is our ever present help in times of trouble. His help is ever timely, never one minute late because He created time.

With the current [age of] pandemic, wars, political turmoil, racial disharmony, and more critically the assaults on the church universal with anything from liberalism, open theism and critical race theory, does it not feel as though the mountains quake and the foundations of the earth shake.

Yet, as all true believers look forward to the New Jerusalem, there is a river of life that makes glad the city of God – this is the very Holy dwelling place of God. God is within her, Jesus is Immanuel and hence, the people of God will not fear.

O God, our Almighty God, help us to be convicted that nothing in this world is sure nor dependable. Not the comfort of this life, not financial security, not our jobs, not our ability nor even our health. Only You and You alone are the never-changing Mighty Fortress. Amen

Let’s Read Psalm 46

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.

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.

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.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    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 with fire.
10 He says, “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.

Let’s Pray

Our Father in heaven, God ever lasting, forgive us that having tasted the sweetness of our salvation in Jesus Christ, we are so easily swayed to treat our earthly things as our security and comfort.

Pray that no matter what happens to us, to our family, to our churches and community, help us to know and experience You as the only sure foundation and mighty fortress – our ever present help in times of trouble.

Help us to live earthly life with heavenly mind like Abraham who looked, not a mere earthly Jerusalem but “the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” . Amen