Summer ought to be a season when we’re able to rest well—a time we can spend with the Lord and His goodness. But, oftentimes, we actually fall out of healthy spiritual habits and end up trying to rest from the Lord instead of resting in Him.
That’s why we’ve created the Summer Selah Series. Over 40 days, we’ll be sharing daily devotions during a season where you may not feel very devoted.
Based on excerpts from his book Selah: Devotions From The Psalms For Those Who Struggle With Devotion, Ross Lester, our Pastor of Preaching and West Congregation Pastor, will provide readings from select Psalms, a brief devotional reflection, and some prayer points for each of the 40 days.
Take some time to read Psalm 46. Then, come back and read the following verses again.
“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” (Psalm 46:1-3 ESV)
Where does your mind run to when there is trouble about? Many of us love to play out various eventualities and, as we do so, the size and scope of those scenarios get bigger and more fearful and our anxiety increases. It can end up feeling like the earth beneath us is giving way and there doesn’t seem to be any way out.
In the midst of strife, the Psalmist doesn’t start that way. He starts abruptly with, “God is …” I love the certainty of that. The author takes the certainty of God’s character to the difficult circumstances of the people and, instead of those problems growing, they shrink.
Why?
God is.
God is our refuge and our strength. He is the One we can run to in order to find shelter, and He is the One who fights for His people to keep our attackers at bay. God is our very present Help. What a thought! He is very present, right here, available and loving.
God is!
Later on this Psalm, God speaks and He says to restless human hearts, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Do you know who God is? You can run to Him.
Father God, give us greater confidence in who You are and let that confidence drive us to greater faith and confidence in You. Forgive us for the times that we aren’t still and sure in the knowledge of who You are. Help us Lord. You are who You say You are.
Ross Lester, Selah: Devotions From The Psalms For Those Who Struggle With Devotion (Magnolia, Texas: Lucid Books, 2017)
