Day 14
Read Psalm 46
John Calvin begins his masterpiece The Institutes of Christian Religion by saying that human beings “are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their own insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God.” Numerous times in the Bible we see this truth played out. When Moses approaches the burning bush and sees it burn without being consumed and hears God’s voice he hides his face in fear (Exodus 3). When Isaiah sees God in his throne room (Isaiah 6), he falls to his knees and cries out “Woe is me, I am ruined for I am a man of unclean lips and I live amongst a people of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” When Elijah hears the still small voice of God on Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19), he hides his face behind a mantle. When Peter sees Jesus for who he is on the Sea of Galilee, he falls to his knees and cries out, “Lord, go away from me, for I am a sinner” (Luke 5).
When I read a Psalm like Psalm 46, I am convicted that my understanding of God is too small. Psalm 46’s poetry describes what Calvin calls the “majesty of God.” The Psalmist writes, “Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; God lifts His voice, the earth melts…He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, He burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
When you are overwhelmed by a breathtaking landscape, or life changing news from your doctor about your health, or experience the birth of your first child, what is your initial reaction? You pause in silence, in awe and wonder and fear. Be still, and know that I am God. We can often get in the habit of thinking of God as a cosmic absentee landlord and forget that He is really the God of Psalm 46. But, it is the God of Psalm 46 that we really want; it is the God of Psalm 46 that we really need. The Psalm begins, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” The earth and the mountains quake, nations are in uproar and kingdoms totter - but we will not be shaken for the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Prayer
Ask God to show you His majesty this Lenten season. Ask Him to help you see how deeply you need Him. Take some time to be still.
Thanks for this reminder Doug. I read Psalm 46 often- perspective is everything. And it's good to know how small we are versus how big He is- there is comfort there! Thank you.