God is our refuge and strength

Moore College has introduced a new preaching subject this year. We meet for an hour a week with 2 faculty and a group of 5-10 students. Each week someone gives a sermon, and the rest of us offer feedback. I’m only in one group, so can’t speak for all the other ones, but it’s been a really valuable time encouraging each other to preach well. This past week, Fiona gave a solid talk on Psalm 46. I like safety and security; I was challenged to find security not only in things of this world, but ultimately in the God who is described as “our strength and refuge”. See the text of Psalm 46 below.

Psalm 46 – NIV

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. ^[a]

 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.       Selah

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.       Selah

⁸ Come and see the works of the LORD,
       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 ^[b] with fire.
¹⁰ “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.       Selah 

1. Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
2. Psalm 46:9 Or chariots