Day 196 | Thursday, 1 October 2020

Day 196 - Audio Version

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​Day 196  |  Thursday, 1 October 2020  
 
I chose to share Psalm 46 with you today.  It is a confession of trust in the Lord’s saving presence.  We need that reassurance often in our daily grind.  God’s presence is a source of hope and protection for any community.   I am sharing Psalm 46 from The New revised Standard version of the Bible.
 
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. [Selah]
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. [Selah]
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, he burns the chariots with fire!
10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth!"
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. [Selah]
 
I want to follow this Psalm with a hymn based on the psalm, which is familiar to many of us.
 
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” words: Martin Luther 1529; trans. By Frederick H. Hedge 1853
 
1.   “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.  For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.”
2.   “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.  Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.”
3.   “And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.  The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.”
4.   “That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours, thru him who with us sideth.  Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever.”
 
Lord God, when we are feeling troubled and worried, we remember that you are our refuge and our strength.  Quiet our souls when we are troubled and help us be assured that you are on our side.  You are our God and you faithfully watch over us.  Lord, continue to be our mighty fortress in these uncertain days.  Calm our fears.  Quiet our souls.  Lord, Hear our prayers.  Amen.
 
Today:  What is it that you need from God to quiet your soul?