We live in days of trouble, probably exceeding anything since the world began; but worse conditions are yet to come before the end, when the Lord shall set up His Kingdom. The most stable things, likened to earth and mountains, are moved and carried, as it were, into the midst of the sea. The nations of Europe and the Far East rage, and the war and tumult of their strife is heard afar off, even to the ends of the earth, and all nations are moved with the swelling thereof. The basest passions of men are let loose, and broken up is the thin veneer of civilisation, culture and modern Christianity. Colossal destruction stalks abroad, and inconceivable misery follows its steps. Human blood has flowed in unheard of measure, and the ‘wails of the bereaved have risen to Heaven in increasing volume. “Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure” (Isa. 5:14). What multitudes are drinking a cup of wormwood and gall!
Amid the confusion and strife there is a safe retreat for the believer, found in the Lord Himself. Oh, the comforting words of Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear… the Lord of Hosts is with us! “He alone can be our confidence. He has His way in the sea and His path in the mighty waters (Isa. 43:16). “Be still, and know that I am God,” are words to calm our agitated spirit. The heart finding repose in Him shall not be moved, and the streams from the river of God shall make us glad.
The 46th Psalm is clearly a Millennial psalm; the exaltation of Christ, as God of the whole earth, is its theme. The works of Jehovah, and their decisive results in the desolation of human pride, and the quelling of the anger of the nations by the majesty of His power, are in view. Israel’s deliverance from all their enemies will then be consummated, and a new era of peace and blessing upon the earth will be brought in. The Church, caught up and glorified, will reign with Christ.
But the Psalm has a present application to all who have found a refuge in God, amid the changing scenes and vast upheavals of these “last days,” appropriately termed “perilous times” (2 Tim. 3:1), also translated “difficult “and “fierce,” the combination giving us the full idea. We may truthfully and triumphantly exclaim, “The God of Jacob is our refuge!”