READ:
Psalms 46-48
Psalm 46 is a psalm of encouraging us
as we hurtle toward the last days. This psalm gives clear explanation of where
our safety and hope will be in those days when everything around us is falling
apart. We will not fear – no matter what. We see the stability of heaven in
verses 4 – 5 in stark contrast to the instability of the nations of the earth.
God has it all in His hand. A mere word from Him and the earth would melt. We
can have confidence in God to be our refuge and to mete out justice. Verses 8 –
9 are an invitation for us to get a sneak peek into how God will handle justice
in the end. It will not be a pretty sight. In the middle of it he extends yet
another invitation: Be still and know that
I am God. In the midst of the mayhem, we can step into His presence and
know Him. Such great hope we have!
Psalm 47 is a song of praise! When God
has done so much for us we can’t help but give Him praise! This psalm commands
us to praise God in song. Often in our quiet times we forget how significant
singing is to our souls, and how important it is to God. Even in corporate
worship, which is likely the setting for this psalm, singing is not just ‘part
of the service’ but an outward expression of the gratitude experienced in our
hearts.
Psalm 48 is another song of corporate
praise. Two of the most compelling verses in this psalm are verses 12 – 13. They
remind us to check out, measure, take notes on, and fully comprehend Zion. What
is Zion? Zion is the city that God has reserved for Himself. Zion is a symbol
of God’s great strength, care and attention to detail. The reason we are given
is so we can tell the next generation. This process of telling the next
generation is critical for our churches and our families today. It is
imperative we talk about, measure, take notes on, and fully comprehend what God
is doing today in our lives. What is He doing? What has He done? We need to
know the details – down to the measurements and amounts – so we can pass the God-stories
on to our children, so they can see God’s faithfulness for themselves.
Without the details of the stories of
God we have to share with the next generation, they will not have confidence in
Him when their going gets tough. They also have a journey to walk, and our
prayer is they walk it in faith and obedience, trusting God Almighty. They need
to know these things so they can sing verse 13 together with us.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Many of us don’t like to think about,
study or talk about the last days or even persecution. We are filled with fear.
Ask the Lord to speak to you with a word, thought, picture or song, about His
ability to be your refuge when times get tough. Journal this and refer back to
it over the next few days as the Holy Spirit roots this deep into your heart.
2. Corporate worship is something God
really, really loves! Ask God to speak to you about what He feels, thinks, or
wants from your worship of Him. Does it melt His heart? Is He thrilled with it?
Does He want more from you? Listen to His heart, write it down and the next
time you are worshipping corporately, make a note (perhaps set a silent or
visual alarm on your phone or iPod?) to worship in such a way that God’s heart
will swell with pride.
3. Do you ever get tired of hearing
someone recite the good things God has done, especially if they seem excited
about the details? Confess this to God, and ask Him for a heart that longs to
hear about the good things He has done. Ask the Lord to remind you of something
He has done that He wants passed down to the next generation of believers.
Write it down and make a commitment to share God’s glory!
