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By: Pastor Berg

“God is our refuge and strength,” is how Psalm 46 begins. Lutherans use this psalm regularly in the life of the Church because this psalm is what inspired Martin Luther to write his most famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Perhaps because we use it so often or perhaps because my life has really been pretty safe and secure, I’ve never really stopped to ponder what the sons of Korah are saying. However, the last week has given me a whole new perspective. Just look at some of the phrases that we find in this psalm. “The earth dissolves and when the mountains tumble into the heart of the sea…Nations are in turmoil. Kingdoms fall. God raises his voice. The earth melts. I’ve always thought of those verses referring to Judgment Day, and they really do speak to that. But the events of the past few weeks have felt like the earth is dissolving and the mountains are tumbling. I never imagined a time when we wouldn’t be able to gather as the Church. I never imagined a day when I’d have to think about Holy Week on-line. Maybe, like me, you have also taken those things for granted. Maybe, like me, you also have become comfortable and complacent and not appreciated what a blessing it is to gather around God’s means of grace.

But Psalm 46 is much more than just doom and gloom. In fact, what makes it memorable and meaningful is its comfort! “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who can always be found in times of trouble. That is why we will not fear…The Lord of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is a fortress for us.” More so than ever in my life, how those words ring true. How blessed are we to know what our God has done for us. What comfort we find in knowing that we have a God who cares, a God who listens, a God who is with us, a God who can be found always. And we find him in his Word.

Friends, let’s take this crisis and turn it into an opportunity. We’ve been forced to slow down. We’ve been forced to stay home. We’ve been forced to “be still.” Let’s take advantage of this, and use this as a time to reconnect to God. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Let’s use this time to be still and to listen to what God tells us in his Word. Gather as a family around your TV and worship with us on-line. If you’re not in the habit of home devotions, what better time to start. I’ve never seen more resources online where God’s Word is being shared. Take advantage of them!

It’s true that right now everything seems upside down. There is genuine sadness because we can’t gather. But God is with us. “God is our refuge and strength.” The promises of his Word remain. Christ is still risen and ruling all things for our eternal good. May we find our refuge and our strength in our God today and always!