For the heirs of the Reformation, Psalm 46 holds special significance.  This is the basis for arguably the most famous hymn that Martin Luther composed, “A Mighty Fortress”. Luther paraphrased this psalm in his hymn, “A Mighty Fortress” asking the question, “Ask ye, who is this” and answering boldly, “Jesus Christ it is, of Sabaoth Lord, and there’s none other God.”  We sing this psalm to praise God for being with us. He miraculously preserves His Word and Church against the gates of hell, against the rage of the devil, the rebellious spirits, the world, the flesh, sin, death.

So the Psalmist begins, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  This is a clear confession of faith in God.  It’s a confession is that God is our fortress that nothing in all of creation can overcome. Imagine the churches in in the Gulf Coast praying this Psalm as the strongest hurricane ever recorded, Hurricane Patricia, approaches. Houses may be lost. Churches reduced to ruins. Disease, feminine, death. Yet through it all Christ remains. He is still in control. He is still victorious.  “Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, through the mountains tremble at its swelling.”  These things have to come to pass, and the reality of God’s very present help is as sure as death and resurrection of Jesus.

It is on this basis that we find comfort in the midst of any and every crisis.  Whether the weather threatens, the heart hurts, or sin delivers death as its sting, the Lord Himself is our only hope and help and, when He is trusted, that faith is a source of comfort. This Psalm was written in view of a previous attack by an enemy of Israel upon the city of Jerusalem. The Psalmist realized that the strength and safety of the city in times of trouble was not in her earthly fortifications and fighting forces.  There has not been a wall built, nor a politician elected, nor a budget passed, nor the perfect plan devised that the devil cannot overcome or twist to his purposes.  On earth, he has no equal.  But our God is not confined to this earth, nor to His creation.

And yet God has chosen to dwell in the midst of His people to speak on our behalf with the same voice that creates, which renders judgment, which raises from the dead, and which absolves sin. The Most High is Lord of hosts has chosen to dwell in an earthly location, in the lowly means of word, water, bread and wine. By God’s grace, God continues to dwell with His people.  In His Church, the “city of God” the Lord dwells as a refuge for sinners in Jesus.

Jesus is a friend of sinners, since it was for the sinners that He died.  He dines not just with the sinners and tax collectors, but He dines with us here, today.  In the Holy Sacrament, our Lord invites sinners to Himself in the midst of a sinful world and a raging Satan, to dine with Him. This is the same thing as Psalm 23 speaks, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.”

Because of all this, as redeemed children of God with His city as our eternal home, we may face this life with confidence in the midst of conflict.  No other religion has a God who serves His people rather than demanding service. That is why for Martin Luther justification was the chief article of the faith. God destroys our holiness by giving us a perfect ransom that we cannot acquire. This ransom frees us from seeking to put ourselves on top. We are free to be last because Christ exalts us as citizens of His eternal kingdom, His heavenly city.

And here in the city of God surrounded by the mighty fortress there is river that makes glad.  Now, there is no literal river in Jerusalem.  This imagery depicts a source of never ending refreshment and inner strength.  In the Gospel according to John, Jesus speaks of such a river when He says, “If anyone thirsts, let him to come Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this He said about the Spirit…” (7:37b-38a).

By the work of the Holy Spirit, God preserves us in His fortress.  In mercy, God makes Himself accessible to us. He is not far off from His creation, not aloof the pain and suffering and troubles of life. But He takes that suffering upon Himself, He calms creation and a restless conscious by His word, “Your sins are forgiven.” In this He is exalted in the earth and our voices praise the glory of cross.

Our Lord calls out to us today, “Be still and know that and know that I am God.”  What a wonderful Word from our Lord. “Be still.”  The same words that Jesus speaks to calm the storm, He speaks through the Psalmist to calm our soul.  God rebukes the restless, raging world and it must obey the voice of its Creator.  Throughout this life, we experience many troubles on account of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature. Yet in every crisis of body and soul, God is with us in His Son that we may face whatever is thrown at us with the confident faith confessing “A Mighty Fortress is our God