Where Does Our Security Come From? God Dwells with His People

This blog post is based on a recent sermon I preached on Psalm 46, exploring God as our true refuge in an uncertain world.

If you have ever been on holiday to any major city in Europe (or the world, for that matter), one of its greatest selling points is often the river that passes through it. Perhaps you can think of one you've visited recently.

Recently, I came across a YouTuber called Ed Pratt, who travels down the entire length of the River Thames, from source to sea.

He travelled from tiny little villages in rural Oxfordshire to kayaking through central London, passing iconic landmarks such as the Palace of Westminster and Tower Bridge.

As you get further into the series, you begin to see how civilisations in the past built their lives around the river. It was essential for wildlife and trade, bringing culture and beauty to the places it passed through.

And in our passage, we see how a river (in verse 4) represents the life-giving, sustaining presence and blessing of God among His people. It provides true life through the living water.

This is a common pattern throughout Scripture, as rivers often represent God's provision and life. Think of:

• The river in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:10).
• The river flowing from the temple in the book of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 47).
• The "river of the water of life" in the book of Revelation (Revelation 22).

But more importantly, the rivers described throughout Scripture are in stark contrast with the seas mentioned earlier. The sea provides a picture of overwhelming chaos.

I mentioned earlier the YouTuber who travelled down the Thames. As he got closer and closer to the sea, the waves were getting bigger and becoming more and more violent.

Eventually, by the time he was out at sea, the waves became too much and his kayak capsised. Thankfully, he was okay!

In the same way, as shown in this passage, the river brings peace, calm and life, while the seas bring chaos and destruction.

The river provides an image of the grace and peace found in worshipping the true God, the one who provides refuge. Unlike the roaring, destructive waters of verses 2–3, verse 4 describes a peaceful river that "makes glad the city of God."

When we refer to this city, we're not talking about just any city. The city of God refers to Jerusalem, the place where God dwelt among His covenant people and where His presence brought security and blessing.

While nations rage and kingdoms fall apart, God's presence brings peace and security. It's a reminder that God's presence is greater and provides stability even when the nations are in turmoil. As verse 5 reminds us:

"God is within her, she will not fall."

What is unique about this city is that it isn't secure because of its walls or army. It doesn't boast about having a strong economy or a high number of tourists. It is secure because God is present there.

An entire civilisation is safe! Even though the mountains shake (as mentioned in verse 3), the city of God in verse 5 will not be moved.

It shows that the very things we think are secure and convince ourselves will save us remain uncertain. But there is good news in knowing that God's people are secure because He is in their midst.

The good news is that we don't have to live in a particular city to enjoy God. We are not required to go on a long, tiring journey. Because of Jesus, we can enjoy God right here in our own city and in our own homes.

But there is more. As we work our way through the passage, the Psalm moves from natural chaos (the mountains shaking) to political chaos.

"Nations rage, kingdoms fall..." as shown in verse 6. Wars, revolutions and empires come and go. They rise and fall, but God's power overrides them all.

How exactly? Verse 6 tells us:

"He lifts his voice, the earth melts."

That's all it takes.

God doesn't struggle to control history. Isn't it of great comfort knowing that His word alone is enough?

I don't know if you've noticed the repetition in this passage, but this section ends with verse 7, which is repeated again in verse 11. What does it say?

"The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

This is essentially the heartbeat of the Psalm. Everything that has been mentioned about chaos, security and God's protection is summed up in that one line.

Notice the title "The LORD Almighty". It reminds us that God is the Commander of the armies of heaven. He is not distant or powerless, but remains the sovereign King who rules over every part of our lives and over all earthly power.

Isn't that reassuring? No circumstance is beyond His control.

Yet the title "the God of Jacob" is also important.

As we have seen from Scripture, Jacob was a deeply flawed man, someone who failed in many ways. Yet God chose him, remained faithful to him and kept His promises to him.

It's a reminder that the God who rules the entire universe is also the God who draws near to ordinary, undeserving people like us and never abandons those who belong to Him.

As well as being "the God of Jacob", He is also described as "our fortress". Notice, the psalmist doesn't say God merely gives us a fortress to use. He is the fortress. He is our fortress.

And so, because God dwells with His people, we can rest knowing that our ultimate security is not found in favourable circumstances, strong governments, a good job, financial stability or even in our own strength, but in the unchanging presence of God Himself.