Brothers and Sisters,
Psalm 46 gives us a powerful reminder that we can turn to the Lord in all circumstances. We read:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way,
Though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
What is the message in these first three verses, and how does it apply to our lives? Certainly, the earth giving way, the mountains being moved into the heart of the sea: These would literally be earthshattering occurrences. We wake up every morning, and we expect the earth to be firm beneath our feet. I see mountains from my neighborhood when I go out in the morning. They’re sturdy; they don’t look like they’re going anywhere.
We take the earth beneath our feet for granted. On a personal level, many of the things in our lives are things we take for granted. That said, this uncertain life has a way of surprising us. Things don’t always go the way we expect. Things that we thought we could take for granted sometimes fail us. Any given day, we could face any number of surprises.
What do we do in the moments when we’re caught off guard? What do we do when trouble finds us, and we don’t see it coming? This psalm reminds us of this powerful truth: In good times and in challenging times, the Lord is constant. He will not give way. His care for us never changes. He is an unfailing refuge. Whatever is happening in your life this week, you can trust that the Lord cares for you and that he will be your refuge, both now and forever.
In Christ,
Fr. Caleb Evans