2 Samuel 22:31

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

Devotional Thoughts

By David Wilkerson

Right now, the whole world is in a fearful time. Nations are trembling over terrorism, knowing no region is immune to the threats. Personal troubles and sufferings are mounting. Yet, in the midst of it all, Psalm 46 echoes to God’s people the world over: “I am in your midst. I am with you through it all. My people will not be destroyed or moved. I’m going to be an ever-present help to my church.”

Do you grasp what the Lord is telling us in this Psalm? Our God is available to us at any time, day or night. He’s continually at our right hand, willing to speak to us and guide us. And he’s made this possible by giving us his Holy Spirit, to abide in us. The Bible tells us that Christ himself is in us, and we are in him.

Yet I doubt that any Christian comprehends this truth fully. If we’re honest, we’ll admit that our concept of God’s abiding presence is inadequate. Many of us picture the Holy Spirit as dwelling in some little chapel he’s built in our heart. Then, when we need him, we run to that chapel and bang on the door till he answers.

This concept isn’t biblical at all. I believe the Lord wants to open it for us, through this Psalm. He knows we all face deep needs and troubles. We all encounter turmoil, temptations, times of confusion that cause our souls to quake. His message for us here in Psalm 46 is meant for just such times. What’s the message? Simply this: if we give in to fear — if we become downcast and full of despair — we’re living absolutely contrary to his present reality in our lives.

Scripture makes it clear: our God spoke to his people in the past, he’s speaking to his people now, and he’ll continue to speak to us till the very end of time. More to the point, God wants to speak to you about your problem today. He may do it through his Word, through a godly friend, or through the Spirit’s still, small voice, whispering, “This is the way, walk in it.”

Yet, no matter what means he uses, you will recognize his voice. The sheep know the voice of their Shepherd. And he is faithful to “(preserve) the souls of his saints; he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 97:10).