Exalted Among the Nations

“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 when morning dawns.
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 fortress. 

“Come, behold the works of the LORD,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire.
‘Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!’
The LORD of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46

Because God is present, we will not fear. Because of who He is, we will not fear. Because of what He does, we will not fear. Because God is God, we will not, we need not, fear.

Crumbling earth and mountains, roaring foaming waters here on earth, are glad streams in God’s immovable holy habitation. His voice is stronger than the raging of nations, His purposes rule the desolations here below. His calm order surrounds every outbreak, He reigns in peace over earth’s wars of violence, hatred, moral rebellion, disease.

Be still, anxious heart! Be silent, fretting soul! The LORD of hosts is with you! God is in the midst of every unknown, every fear. His control can bridle every runaway thought, every free flow tear of regret or sorrow. He is sovereign over every hypothetical what-if, and the tottering of courage and hope. He is God!

In our midst and all around, our unshakable refuge and fortress is He. The God of angel armies is our help! Listen to Him, look for Him, behold His works! Do not be moved or shaken! Be still, and know Him! Take every chance to hear His voice and watch His hand, to hide in Him and know Him better as He makes Himself known among the nations.

“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
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

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.
You 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.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has 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.

That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through 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!”  ~Martin Luther (1529)

O God our help in ages past, and hope for years to come, You are exalted now and forever. Amen!