Bible Reading Plan | Devotion for the week of September 12, 2021

Weekly reading: Philippians 1-4; Psalm 46-48
Passages referenced: 2 Kings 6; Psalm 9:9; 46:1-3, 7, 10-11; 61:3; Proverbs 18:10; Philippians 4:5-6

Psalm 46:10 is quite well known. It reads as follows, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” What are perhaps not as well known are some of the preceding verses. Verses 1-3 state, “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.” Verses 7 & 11 are identical choruses at the end of each stanza: “The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

It wasn’t too long ago that I read Psalm 46 and realized that it is because God is our refuge and strength that we can rest in Him. It is because He is an Almighty fortress that we can be still and know that He is God.

Shortly after I graduated college, my family took a trip westward. Our first overnight stay was in Kansas, which lived up to its stormy reputation. A severe thunderstorm arose, and hail pelted our camper, cracking our plastic skylight and bouncing noisily off the camper’s thin metal sides. We prayed a tornado wouldn’t follow the hail. It was frightening and felt less than safe.

Thankfully, the Lord Almighty is no aluminum camper. He is our fortress. When the world is falling apart around us, He is our strong tower and stronghold (see Psalm 61:3, Proverbs 18:10, Psalm 9:9). We are safe in Him. We are secure in Him.

Perhaps you feel as though the world is crumbling. It is full of uncertainty, fear, and heartbreak. But in His Almighty state, the Lord is so much more than we can see or imagine. There is a passage in 2 Kings 6 where Elisha’s servant looks out and sees their city surrounded by an enemy army with horses and chariots. The servant becomes afraid. Elisha prays that the Lord “open his eyes, so he may see.” The servant is then able to see the Lord’s horses and chariots of fire filling the hills around them. We sometimes forget that not only is God Almighty, but He is our “ever-present help” even though we can’t see Him (see Psalm 46:1). God is omnipresent. He is Almighty, and He is with us.

Philippians 4:6 reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” But you know what’s helpful about Philippians 4:6 that many people fail to notice? The sentence immediately prior in Philippians 4:5b, “The Lord is near.” Why do we not have to be anxious? Because the Lord—our Almighty Lord—is near.

We have been given this wonderful, miraculous book, the Bible, to show us who God is. He is Almighty. He is our ever-present help. He is King. He is worthy of praise. He has unfailing love. When you read the passages assigned for this week, try to note the characteristics of God you see. What is God like? What does He possess? What does He give? May you delight in all God is this week, and may you be able to “be still” in Him. – Kacie Langeland

• Check out The Bible Project’s overview video of the book of Philippians. It is an excellent source for background information and context that walks through the book’s sections and themes. It can be really helpful for those who appreciate some visuals while learning.

• Do you have questions about this week’s Bible reading? We’d love to help! Rather than relying on the first thing you find on the internet, email us at biblequestions@warsaw.cc. We are more than happy to answer that nagging question you have, provide you with some clarity, or point you in the right direction for further study.