“Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted on the earth.”  The Lord of Armies is with us.  The God of Jacob is a fortress for us.  – Psalm 46:10-11

The Fall of Fear!

It may have been author George R.R. Martin, or someone who predates him, who said, “laughter is poison to fear.”  It does seem to be that way in this spooky season.  Halloween decorations have been brought out of their tubs well within even the month of September.  And looking around, they have become more and more comical.  No longer are the skeletons digging their way out of the grave, now they are humorously positioned to be playing and falling off the roof.  No longer will a handcarved jack o’lantern suffice, now people buy that 20ft inflatable light-up pumpkin as big as their house.  No longer does a well placed mum on the front porch do the trick, now decorations include the final fight from Ghostbusters with the angry Stay-Puffed Marshmallow Man. 

Danger, destruction, and death have been very real no matter how much laughter we hope to inject into those subjects.  The fallen world presents countless immediate threats.  It was that way during the days of the sons of Korah, the inspired authors, as they sung this psalm with eyes of faith, hopeful in the reign of the eternal king.  And this took place while the superpowers of the world waged war in, around, and through what we think of as the Promised Land for God’s Old Testament people.  

Instability was in abundance in the time of Martin Luther as well, who based the Reformation hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, off of Psalm 46.  Luther hoped to reposition the church upon the Word, only to be met with fierce persecution to silence him at all costs.  The people of his day were subject to famine, war, and loss.  The church battled with confusing and combative heresies.  And yet the King remained upon his throne.  

Danger, destruction, and death remain very real in our world today.  From the acts of nations to nature we see those “times of trouble” discussed in the psalm all around us.  Their impact weighs heavily on our hearts.  It’s no wonder a popular prayer request when the pastors make visits is a prayer “for the world.”  Thankfully, we have a Savior who has overcome the world for us.  Jesus tells us plainly in Luke 21:28, “But when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”  

And the scenery of Psalm 46 changes dramatically as in later verses we begin to have described the city of God.  It is located in heaven when our Jesus reigns.  It is made accessible by our sins paid for at his cross, and his work resulting in our salvation.  It is known to us by the pillar of promises in his Word, acting as a fortress in such a worrisome worldly landscape.  With Jesus, what was once in upheaval is made secure, where there was apocalypse there is peace, where death had a grasp we have deliverance.  And he speaks love, comfort, and reassurance from his throne to our hearts and lives.  “Be still and know that I am God.”  The fall of fear is real for us now because of the gospel promises Jesus has made secure.

Dear friends, go ahead and give a giggle to the skeletons in the front yard playing pickleball.  But also remember that this world tries to make light of what is dark.  Jesus has come here, taken on, and removed all our sin for our salvation.  He defeated those dark dangers for us.  He is able to put our fear to rest.  We have his strong Word as our unbreakable fortress.  We celebrate the Reformation this month and his effort to keep us all upon his solid foundation of eternal truth.  And we look forward to being with him in his eternal paradise, filled with perfect joy, love, and laughter.