Unwelcome news. The past week has been full of it. A nephew is fighting for his life after complications from a triple bypass surgery. We open each text worrying that it might contain word of a new complication. Where do you go when things go from bad to worse?
I turn to the Psalms. Psalm 46 assures me that God is a refuge and strength. He will help me. According to the Psalm, God will be a “present help in trouble” even if the earth breaks apart or the mountains crash into the sea. Thankfully, that hasn’t happened, but God would continue to provide refuge even if it did. What a relief!
What else could go wrong? Verse 6 says that nations could rage and kingdoms totter. That doesn’t sound good. What will God do if that happens? He will utter his voice and the earth will melt. Verse 9 claims that even in the chaos of war, God is in charge. “He breaks the bow and shatters the spear.”
Where do you go when the news is bad?
“Be still and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
(Psalm 46:10-11 ESV)