Psalms 46: 8-9 - An invitation to "Come and See"

Psalms 46: 8-9 - 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.
The theme of this Psalms has been, “Why fear when God is with us”. In the earlier verses David takes pain to express God’s relationship towards us. He reasons that because God is our protection, our strength and His presence is always with us –there’s no cause for fear. He hits the high crescendo in verse 8: The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. The verse ends with the word selah in KJV. The mysterious Hebrew word “Selah.” “Selah” was most likely originally a musical notation indicating a pause in the music for contemplation on what was just sung. You might translate it “Pause and think of that!”  Stop and think: God offers us two kinds of help: a stronghold into which we can flee and a source of strength by which we can face the uncertain future.  
In verses 8-9 the scene shifts from “what God is to us” to “what God will do for us” or rather what He has done for us. We are asked to count our blessings and see how God has been our protector in the past. To protect us He brought desolation on the earth. He even brought destruction on the schemes of the enemy. 
God’s intervention
  • Deut 28:7 - The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

This is what the Lord will do for them that love him and who trust in His security. One translation says: Come and see what the Lord has done. See what amazing things he has done on earth. (GNT) . I am sure if we look back we cannot stop praising God for all the wonderful things He has done for us. Will He not do the same for us in the future? Certainly He will. Jesus said:
  • Mat 7:21 - If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

God’s innovation
And when the enemy wanted to bring war and chaos, God reversed his schemes and brought in peace by destroying the enemies weapons of warfare. 
  • Genesis 50:20 - As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. 
  • Genesis 12:3 - I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; 

God will reverse the adverse situations. Instead of war, there will be peace, instead of fear there will be calmness and strength and instead of uncertainty there will be security in Christ.
Because we have seen His wonders in the past, His favor, His protection and His presence, let us put our trust in Him for the future. There may be storms now but we can rest assured in Him because He is with us. 
-->
This too will pass away.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Remembering Sis Jenima Sharma - A tribute

Image
Sis Jenima went to be with the Lord on 14 Nov 2024, after battling with  Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) for some time.  This is our tribute to her. It was in 2008, when I first met Sis Jenima, the wife of our Bishop Samuel Sharma. It was during our first trip to NE India, Jaigaon in particular. We were there to conduct a pastors' conference at the bidding of Bishop Samuel who had attended the Haggai Leaders' Experience in Singapore a few months earlier. This was the beginning. She was demure, quiet, hardly spoke a word in English. But she was extremely hospitable and genuinely kind. At that time they lived in a very simple house, with hardly any furnishing, all because of the call of God upon her life to serve the Master.  But one thing was certain. She loved the Lord, her husband and her two young children. She always wanted them to serve the Lord all their lives. She was a remarkable woman whose life reflected the love and grace of God in every aspect.  He...
Read more

Devotion - Psalms 44: 6-7 - Its God who gives the victory

Image
Psalms 44:6-7 - I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. Any soldier will know that the basic weapon of warfare, in those days, were the bow and sword. Without which no soldier will not venture into the battle field. Even the famed Goliath was geared in full battle order when he faced David with the stones and the sling. Isn't it a paradox then that David, one of the finest soldiers Israel had ever produced, proclaims that its not the bow and the sword that gives the victory. Its is the Lord, Jehovah, that gives the victory. I don't think David is trying to say that we should not prepare ourselves for warfare. His concern is that we recognize that ultimately its the Lord that gives the victory. A few things we need to remember: Human efforts are necessary in the God-man partnership Human efforts alone does not guarantee God intended results Recognize that its God that always gives u...
Read more

25th Wedding Annivesary - Silver Jubilee

Image
11-1-11 - 25th Wedding Anniversary. Today my wife and I celebrate our Silver Jubilee, 25 years of being married together. How time flies. I look out of the window, the weather reminiscent of the day we got married. It was raining the whole day and so is today. How appropriate. Praise God for His faithfulness in our lives and for the blessings He has given us. Lam 3:22-23 - Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. It has been a wonderful journey. Yes there were disagreements, quarrels, desperation and even "fights" but through it all, our love has grown stronger for the Lord , for the family, for the ministry and for one another. Jeya has been the magnet that holds our family together. Almost three months in a year I am out of country for ministry and kids busy in school. But she has always been the inventory holder that keeps reminding of the things that needs to be done an...
Read more