About a week into our current reality, I noticed a shift in news coverage I was seeing about Coronavirus. Headlines that read, “America’s way of life is over,” and the like gave way to “Americans hit pause” and others that seemed to indicate the country is assuming a still, watchful position.
After several jolting days of relentess developments in the pandemic—mostly bad news—I was grateful for the shift. The idea of pausing, especially amid great stress, is something I can get behind.
The author of Psalm 46 starts his song with a proclamation of who God is: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). His power is utmost, commanding nations and ending wars. He is a fortress—our fortress, the psalmist says. Then, an instruction:
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
As Christians, we know God is always praiseworthy. Even now, there are countless reasons to worship. Chief among them for me is the reminder to pause, to consider who God is and who he has always been. And to praise him that his strength is mingled with love for us.
“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:11).