Feb 23rd Devotion

God in Your Midst – Chuck Swindoll

The psalmist's reaction to nature in upheaval was, "I will not fear" (Psalm 46:2-3). His response to feelings of personal weakness continues in Psalm 46 with a change of scene, which prompts another resolution.

I Will Not Be Moved

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.

The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
The LORDof hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. (46:4–7)

The subject? "The city of God" (46:4). This is a reference to the Jews' beloved Jerusalem. As you read over these inspired stanzas, you quickly discover that the city is under attack. Nations and kingdoms have risen up against Israel's capital city and laid siege to the walls, yet "she will not be moved." The reason is clearly stated in the first part of verse 5: "God is in the midst of her." Verse 7 continues, "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold."

Jerusalem was a well-defended city, set high on a mountaintop, surrounded by difficult terrain, protected by high, thick walls. Later kings added a freshwater supply to extend their ability to withstand a siege. Still, the composer didn't consider embattlements and structures to be their source of safety. When he felt most powerless, he looked beyond his physical protection to find comfort in God's presence. He credited the indwelling, omnipotent presence of God!

Do you remember that account in Mark's gospel (Mark 4:35-41) of the trip Jesus and His disciples made across the Sea of Galilee? It has been made famous by a song believers have sung for decades, entitled "Peace, Be Still!" A storm took the disciples by surprise and put them in fear of their lives. Gripped with thoughts of their own personal weakness, they woke Jesus and questioned how He could sleep at a time like that. After calming the wind and the sea, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. How could they sink? Why would they ever fear? They had God in the boat with them! The boat would never sink as long as God was in it. They should not have been moved, for the Lord Himself was in their midst. That's a perfect illustration of Psalm 46:5.

Look also at the term "moved" in verse 5. It literally means "to totter or shake." We have the descriptive slang expression "all shook up." I suppose it would fit here in verse 5. Because God is in me, I really have no reason to get "shook up." Do you realize that from the moment the Lord Jesus Christ became the Lord and Savior of your life, He has been living within you? In fact, Christ is called "your life" in Colossians 3:4. The hope of glory is "Christ in you." If you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ, you have the Lord God within you. In your midst! Therefore, with Him present, there is no reason to totter. God is not going to totter and shake, nor is His dwelling place. So, the next time you are tempted to panic, focus on the fact that God is literally in your midst. Selah!