Certainty, in uncertain times - Pt 2

A few posts ago, we looked at just the first three verses of Psalm 46. However, the next four verses have also something to say to us in these times of uncertainty. Indeed, we might refer to these verses as the active counterpart to the relative passivity of the previous three. They read: “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”

Here, YHWH is seen, not merely as the One to Whom we may turn in times of uncertainty, but as the One Who will act positively on our behalf. Or, to use different terminology, He is not only our line of defence, but also our line of attack – our “armed response unit”, as I recall from my years as a Police Force Chaplain!

The emphasis, here, is on the internal resources of the people of God; the security that ensures peace even when it is not only the balance of nature that is upset, but also when rebellious nations rage and threaten.  And don’t we see so much of that today, even in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis?  Just as it was “in the beginning”, say the psalmists, God has only to speak – and it is so: “The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts.”

The picture, here, is one of a city under siege.  In such circumstances, a dependable water supply was of paramount importance, and this was something of which the Jewish people were very aware.  Jerusalem, itself, was unique among historical cities in that it had no great river running through it.  All it had was the little thread of water that ran into the pool of Siloam.  And there can be no doubt that this fact was in the minds of the sons of Korah as they penned these words: “There is a river, whose streams make glad the city of God; the holy habitation of the Most High.”  Here is no “shady rill” of the hymn-writer, but a mighty water-course with many streams, or tributaries.  Here is a supply that can meet every conceivable need.  Here is certainty, even in uncertain times such as those in which we currently live.

The psalmists are speaking, of course, not of any literal river but, symbolically, of the inner strength of God’s city; His active, and life-giving, Presence.  “God is in the midst of her”, they go on, “she shall not be moved!” 

This concept of a river is echoed in the N.T., in the Revelation given to John, in which the apostle sees “the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, through the middle of the street of the city.” (Rev. 22:1-2) – and the city of which he writes is the new Jerusalem which, in itself, is symbolic of the consummation of God’s saving purpose for mankind.

 And, of course, the thought of the city of God includes the people of God.  So the indwelling power of God the Holy Spirit is the limitless resource of those whose trust is in the living God, through Jesus, the Son.  “If God be for us,” the apostle Paul was to write to the young church in Rome, “who can be against us?” (Rom.8:31).  I believe that the sons of Korah would have said a hearty “Amen” to that – and so may we if we are truly His!  Almighty God is the active help of His own people, in overcoming whatever rage and fury may be in the world, because He is in the midst of them.  He is still our Certainty in uncertain times. May we look to Him, and Him alone.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face;

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory, and grace.”