Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
My husband and I recently took a camping trip to Fort Kearney State Recreation Area, one of our favorite campgrounds. After a couple of days of crane watching, hiking, and a little shopping to outfit our new (to us) camper, I finally had an opportunity to do some fishing. MaeBelle (my canine companion) and I set up our fishing site complete with chair, fishing pole, nightcrawlers and tackle box. After sitting a few minutes, I had a reckoning.
It wasn’t the sandhill cranes that we viewed that made this trip special. Although the sight of them is amazing, especially early in the morning as thousands of them take flight seemingly all at the same time. We have witnessed this phenomenon many times before but it never ceases to astonish me.
Nor was it the early spring awakening of green, of blue sky, or of newly blossoming flowers. Not even the warmth on my face after a very long, harsh winter. Nor was it the many walks we took, enjoying the many faces of nature and the warm breeze touching our faces.
It wasn’t the quality time my husband and I spent together. Even though we are both retired, our days are filled with part-time jobs, church responsibilities and grandchildren’s activities. We often question, when did we have time to work? Consequently, our together time is very precious to us. But that wasn’t it either.
My reckoning came as I watched that fishing bobber (which never moved). I sat quietly for hours and just listened. Psalm 46 is one of my favorites but I so often fail to practice it. Just to be still. Just to be. The Healing Silence. Amen.
-Mary K Feit
Lay Servant Ministries Director
Prayer for Reflection
Quiet Voice, Loving God, hear my longing to rest in you. Thank you for strength, peace, joy, healing, and quiet. In Jesus precious name we pray. Shalom.
