I parked my car at the seminary and was walking toward the campus. As I crossed the parking lot, a fellow student stopped and told me about a situation in New York City. A plane had flown into one of the twin towers. It was September 11, 2001, and I soon realized the situation was dire and deadly.
As I watched The Today Show with Matt Lauer and Katie Couric, I witnessed the second plane making its turn toward the second tower. As the news anchors responded to what they just saw, I realized I had watched in real time the attack intensifying. I was unable to pull myself away from the television in the student center, but at some point, I knew I needed to complete homework that was due in the early afternoon.
Throughout the day, I was checking the reports on the situation in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. As I walked into class that evening, there was a buzz of conversation as we were all still reeling from the day’s experience.
Dr. Steve Seamands walked to the front of the class. He did not greet us or make any comments about the day. He just started reading Psalm 46. He was deliberate and contemplative in his reading.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations areinanuproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
On that day, my world—the world—was shaken. I could feel the psalmist’s words, “The nations are in uproar; the kingdoms totter.” The peace, safety, and protection I had grown to know and expect was shattered. The future was unknown. My heart was still breaking for those who were lost and the families who were left behind.
Since September 11, 2001, Psalm 46 has been one of my favorite Psalms to remember and to recite during uncertainty, struggles, and feelings of defeat. The psalmist’s ability to walk me through the tumult, upset, war, and struggle to remind me of God’s faithfulness and invitation to, “Be still and know that I am God,” shakes me out of my fears as the psalmist goes on to remind me, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” I know I can come to the Lord and in His faithfulness, He will guard me and give me peace. He is my refuge.
Where in your life are you experiencing unrest, struggles, and ongoing battles? Do you have the assurance that you can find refuge in the Lord? Do you have the confidence to “Be still,” even when your mind is saying work harder and worry more?
When your world is shaken—whether personal or corporate—heed the words of the psalmist and know He is with you.
Prayer: Lord, when my world is shaken and I am overwhelmed with everything happening around me, remind me I am not alone. You are with me and I can be still and find refuge in you. Thank you for your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(As I was writing this devotion, the song Even Then by Micah Tyler came to mind. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR9UsXgIAjg)