Psalm 46: 1-4 and 11 God is our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble. Therefore. we will not fear, though the earth be
moved, and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the
sea; Though its waters rage and foam, and though the mountains
tremble at its tumult. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob
is our stronghold. ....Be still, then, and know that I am God. I will be
exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.
You may wish to read the entire Psalm.
I grew up on the coast of Virginia, Hurricane Alley, and am well-acquainted with the awesome, sometimes terrifying, power of the ocean. The imagery of mountains falling into the heart of the sea is unfathomable to most of us in North American, and certainly in Virginia, but it could happen. That which we think of as terra firma could indeed be shaken to its core and fall away into the ocean.
Unfortunately, in our day-to-day lives, this happens figuratively all too often: a marriage falls apart; one loses the security of one’s job, one’s home, or one’s belongings; one loses loved ones and friends to tragedy or illness, or we may find our own health and well-being in jeopardy. The earth really feels as if it gives way beneath our feet.
Yet what the psalm wants us to grasp is the unshakeable truth that “The Lord Almighty is with us.” There is nothing, not even the mountains falling into the heart of the sea or the earth giving way, which can alter the fact that God is with us. With God all things are possible.
When temporal “stability” seems threatened, we are quite literally “stopped in our tracks.” This would be the perfect time to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Once so centered, we become aware that God is indeed with us, and we need not be afraid.
Jennifer Beckett (1965-2017)
This reading was written by Jennifer on March 26, 2017, when she was in treatment for cancer. It was read at her Memorial Service on December 16, 2017. We celebrate her life by including it here.
You may wish to read the entire Psalm.
I grew up on the coast of Virginia, Hurricane Alley, and am well-acquainted with the awesome, sometimes terrifying, power of the ocean. The imagery of mountains falling into the heart of the sea is unfathomable to most of us in North American, and certainly in Virginia, but it could happen. That which we think of as terra firma could indeed be shaken to its core and fall away into the ocean.
Unfortunately, in our day-to-day lives, this happens figuratively all too often: a marriage falls apart; one loses the security of one’s job, one’s home, or one’s belongings; one loses loved ones and friends to tragedy or illness, or we may find our own health and well-being in jeopardy. The earth really feels as if it gives way beneath our feet.
Yet what the psalm wants us to grasp is the unshakeable truth that “The Lord Almighty is with us.” There is nothing, not even the mountains falling into the heart of the sea or the earth giving way, which can alter the fact that God is with us. With God all things are possible.
When temporal “stability” seems threatened, we are quite literally “stopped in our tracks.” This would be the perfect time to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Once so centered, we become aware that God is indeed with us, and we need not be afraid.
Jennifer Beckett (1965-2017)
This reading was written by Jennifer on March 26, 2017, when she was in treatment for cancer. It was read at her Memorial Service on December 16, 2017. We celebrate her life by including it here.
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