Psalms 46:11 – His presence reinforced.

Psalms 46:11 - The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46 was Martin Luther’s favorite Psalm. During the dark and dangerous periods of the Reformation, Luther would turn to his trusted friend Philip Melanchthon and exclaim: “Let’s sing the 46th Psalm, and let the devil do his worst!”  It inspired him to write the great hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”  

No Psalm in the entire Psalter expresses the tremendous truth that God’s presence and power are with us in all circumstances more than Psalm 46.  We need to know 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.  

And so in concluding the psalm, David uses the same words he used in verse seven. In the earlier discourse we noted two important attributes of God: the almighty Creator and the almighty Savior. It also underscores the faithfulness of God’s presence and protection in the life of a believer. And it’s so important that we appropriate theses blessings into our lives.

Paul summarizes this theme of God’s presence brilliantly when he says:

• Romans 8:38-39 - For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[k]neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord

“On the day he died John Wesley had already nearly lost his voice and could be understood only with difficulty. But at the last with all his strength he could summon, Wesley suddenly called out, ‘The best of all is, God is with us.’ Then, raising his hand slightly and waving it in triumph, he exclaimed again with thrilling effect, ‘The best of all is, God is with us.’” (Boice)

As I look back in my life, I can truly say, God has been with us. There were time we thought we would have died, times when I was alone, times of loneliness and moment as though in prison like Joseph. Just like God was with Joseph, God was with us too. This God, who is my refuge, my fortress and my present help in trouble can be yours too. Do you know Him as your Lord? Invite Him into your heart today. He will be you source of comfort hope and strength.

We leave the psalm with confidence and serenity. This is worthy of reflection, closing with Selah, which means pause and reflect. I reflect on this beautiful hymn:

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Martin Luther

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe
His craft and pow'r are great, and, armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him

That word above all earthly pow'rs, no thanks to them, abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth
Let God's and kindred go, this mortal life also
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still
His kingdom is forever