I watched the sunrise this morning. It was glorious! It had rained before sunrise, so the sky was still scattered with clouds. As the sun began to near the horizon the clouds became brilliant shades of orange and yellow, pink and purple, all cast against a dark sky turning blue. Amazing! I took pictures with my phone, but they are not comparable to the reality of it.
As I went back inside to study God’s word, the scene kept unfolding in my mind, and it spilled across the pages of God’s word giving it new understanding. I’ve been studying in Psalm 46 where the earth is in turmoil, everything is changing, and the world is fearful. But God reminds us that there is a place in His presence that is good and unshakable, a place where He has made wars to cease, and He reminds those of us in His presence that He will help us when morning dawns.
I thought about that beautiful sunrise that came on the clouds of the storm that had just passed. Without the clouds, the colors would not have been as vibrant. It was the rain storm that made the morning dawn that much more beautiful. I also thought about the truth that nothing could stop the sun from rising. The morning will dawn. You can’t stop it.
I think that’s what God wants us to know about Him in Psalm 46. Nothing can stop Him. Our world may feel scary and uncertain. Natural disasters or man-made wars may be changing the foundations of our lives, but in His presence, we can find peace and happiness. And when He comes to help us, nothing can stop Him! Morning will dawn! That’s why, at the end of the Psalm, God invites us to be still and know He is God and worship and praise Him.
I love knowing this about my God! This truth gives me strength and encourages me. And did you know that Jesus calls Himself “the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16)? He promises to give those who overcome the darkness of this world “the morning star,” which is Himself (Revelation 2:28). Jesus also said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follow me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). God is revealing His character to us through His Word and through His power seen in nature. He wants us to know Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. He wants us to respond with praise and worship. He wants us to live in the freedom of His presence, and not bound by fear.
Know this: whatever darkness you feel you are walking in right now, it cannot prevail in the presence of the Light. So, look to Him. Look to Jesus, the bright morning star, and watch as He turns those storm clouds into something beautiful and brilliant. He will help you when morning dawns . . . and nothing can stop Him! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Dear Lord, we praise You and thank You for who You are. You are mighty and powerful and nothing can stand in Your way. Help us to place our trust in You. Help us to live in Your presence with peace and gladness, even when the world is fearful. Remind us who You are, and let us not forget that we are Yours. Thank You, Jesus, for making the way for us to be in Your holy presence. We give You praise! In Jesus's name, Amen!
