UNSHAKEN
Psalm 46
Is the ground beneath you shaking? In Psalm 46, we see the Psalmist confronting his fears during a time of total upheaval in his life. He has no illusion that he is in control. He is not filled with self-confidence thinking that he has the resources in himself to make this all turn out alright. He is focused on who God is and totally dependent on God to do what only God can do.
As we look at what is going on in our world, we come face to face with the reality that we are not in control! One wave of bad news after another can make us feel like we’re losing our sense of balance. Our lives are being rearranged . . . our calendars are cleared . . . our needs are different. We are going to come through this; it won’t last forever! On the other side of this crisis, I think we will see that it has changed us. Do you see ways that it is changing you, even now?
As we look at Psalm 46, we see a man who is confident that God is bigger than even the biggest catastrophes he is experiencing. This is a good time for a prayer by Spurgeon: “We may pray to enjoy in experience what we grasp by faith.” In our own crisis, it’s time to make our knowledge of God become our personal reality.
Read Psalm 46 many times!
This is a Psalm of praise in very perilous times.
Pray that as you read it, God will give you the confident heart that the Psalmist had.
1. As you read through Psalm 46, make a list of the names of God and His character qualities.
2. Psalm 46:1
God is_________. God is __________. God is _________________.
When is God these things?
Rewrite this verse in your own words. Take these characteristics of God and describe what they mean to you.
3. Psalm 46:2-3
Therefore . . . Because God is these things, I will not _____________.
How does the Psalmist describe what is happening in his life?
4. Psalm 46:2-3
What are some of your “even thoughs?”
5. Psalm 46:4-7
The Psalmist not only knows who his help is, he knows where to find that help! Where is God? How does he describe God?
6. Psalm 46:4-7
What is he relying on God to do?
“The secret of confidence is the consciousness of the nearness of God.”
G. Campbell Morgan
7. Psalm 46:8-9
“Come! See the glorious works of the Lord!” (NLT) What are the works of God the psalmist is pointing them to? Why is this significant?
8. Psalm 46:10
The Hebrew word for “be still” is râphâh. It means to let go, leave alone, relax, be quiet, cease striving. What is God telling us to do? What is He reminding us of?
9. Psalm 46:11
This verse is the same as verse 7. Every time we see God repeating Himself, it’s wise to pay attention! Who is the Lord of hosts?
The Lord of hosts, or the Lord of Heaven’s armies, is the Hebrew name Jehovah Sabaoth. It is the Name of God used in Scripture when a person is at the end of their rope--times when they feel helpless and powerless. When we’ve reached the limit of our own strength, when our resources are inadequate and when there is no other help, this is when we need Jehovah Sabaoth, the God whose power and resources are adequate and available in our time of trouble. Why is God called the “God of Jacob?”
What is He promising to us?
10. What are the 3 main points that spoke to you from this psalm? How will you apply them to your life?
