Today is Wednesday, January 24th, 2007; Karen's Korner #983
Karen's Korner today is Psalms 46 with a Bible commentary on the chapter. It talks about "the world blowing up". If we listen to the news, we know that is always a threat. Even if that never happens, sometimes "our world blows up"........a job loss, financial problems, a spouse leaves, a new diagnosis of an illness or disease, an untimely death:
"God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. And so we need not fear even if the world blows up, and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble!
There is a river of joy flowing through the City of our God---the sacred home of the God above all gods. God himself is living in that City, therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay his help. The nations rant and rave in anger---but when God speaks, the earth melts in submission and kingdoms totter into ruin.
The Commander of the armies of heaven is here among us. He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us.
Come, see the glorious things that our God does, how he brings ruin upon the world, and causes wars to end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon. Stand silent! Know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation in the world!
The Commander of the heavenly armies is here among us! He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us!"
Commentary: The fear of mountains or cities suddenly crumbling into the sea by a nuclear blast haunts many people today. But the psalmist says that even if the world ends. "We need not fear!" Even in the face of utter destruction, he expressed a quiet confidence in God's ability to save him. It seems impossible to face the end of the world without fear, but the Bible is clear---God is our refuge even in the face of total destruction He is not merely a temporary retreat: he is our eternal refuge and can provide strength even in the face of global destruction.
Many great cities have rivers flowing through them, sustaining people's lives and becoming the center of trade. Jerusalem had no river, but it had God who, like a river, sustained the people's lives and was the center of their attention. As long as God lived among the people, the city was invincible. But when the people abandoned him, God left them, and Jerusalem fell to the Babylonian army.
War and destruction are inevitable, but so is God's final victory. At that time, all will stand silent before Almighty God. How proper, then, for us to stand silent now in reverent quiet to honor him and his power and majesty. Take time each day to be silent and to exalt God.
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