When the Mountains Move, God Is Still Present
Psalm 46:1–3
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Sometimes I read a scripture once and understand the words, but I have to read it again before I really hear what it is saying.
That happened to me with Psalm 46.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
God is our refuge. God is our strength.
I can say that I am strong. I can say that I am resilient. I can look back at everything I have made it through and recognize that I kept going. But when I really think about where that strength comes from, I do not believe it comes from me alone. My strength comes through Jesus Christ and from Heavenly Father.
That does not mean faith requires us to sit still and wait for God to do everything for us. Sometimes faith looks like making another phone call. Filling out another application. Asking someone for help. Trying another solution when the first one does not work. Doing the laundry. Taking care of the house. Working. Studying. Praying. Getting up and trying again.
We do what we can.
And then eventually we reach something we cannot control.
That is where I have to say, “God, I have done what I can. I have to leave the rest with You.”
Psalm 46 does not describe a peaceful world where nothing goes wrong. It describes chaos.
The earth moves. Mountains fall into the sea. Waters roar. Mountains shake.
That is an enormous picture of instability.
Yet right in the middle of it comes this statement:
“Therefore will not we fear.”
Not because the mountains stopped moving.
Not because the water suddenly became calm.
Not because every problem was resolved.
But because God was still there.
I experienced a little of that tonight. There are still things in my life I cannot solve immediately. There are financial concerns. There are things happening at home. There are people I love whom I cannot control or protect from everything. There are decisions other people have to make. There are outcomes I simply do not know yet.
But tonight I realized something.
I have somewhere to sleep.
The laundry is getting done.
I reached out for help where I could.
I completed two scholarship applications.
I worked on projects that matter to me.
I prayed.
And tomorrow is another day.
There comes a point when continuing to worry does not accomplish anything that prayer, preparation, and tomorrow’s work cannot accomplish better.
I can leave what I cannot control with Heavenly Father.
That does not mean I stop caring. It does not mean I stop working. It means I recognize the difference between my responsibility and God’s responsibility.
I can make the call.
I can fill out the application.
I can tell the truth.
I can ask for help.
I can show up.
I can try again.
But I cannot control every person’s response. I cannot manufacture every opportunity. I cannot force tomorrow to arrive tonight.
And I do not have to.
God is not merely someone who gives me a little extra strength when mine runs out.
The Psalm says something greater:
God is my strength.
So when the waters roar, when the mountains shake, and when life feels like several problems are arriving at the same time, perhaps faith sometimes sounds very simple:
I have done what I can today. God is still here. I can rest now. Tomorrow is another day.
Reader Reflection
What in your life feels unstable right now? Where are you doing everything you reasonably can but still trying to control the outcome? What would it mean to let God be your refuge instead of demanding that you solve everything yourself? Can you identify something you need to leave with Him tonight? And when you look back over difficult seasons you have already survived, where can you see that God gave you strength when you did not think you had enough?
Thought for the Day
The mountains can move. The waters can roar. The problems can remain unresolved. And God can still be present.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for being my refuge and my strength. Thank You for being present not only after the storm has passed, but while the waters are still roaring and the mountains are still shaking.
Help me know what is mine to do and what I need to leave with You. Give me strength to work, courage to ask for help, wisdom to make good decisions, and humility to admit when something is beyond my control.
When I have done what I can for today, help me put down the worry and trust You with tomorrow.
Strengthen the people I love. Watch over my family and my community. Help those who are struggling, afraid, tired, lonely, uncertain, or wondering how they will make it through another day.
And when everything around me feels unstable, remind me that You have not moved.
You are still my refuge.
You are still my strength.
You are still a very present help in trouble.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.