We, too, must stay the course and fight the battles around us, not with violence, but with love. We have an amazing opportunity to seek out meaningful ways to positively impact our neighborhoods, our nation, and our world. We can pray for those who are hurting, we can provide financial resources to assist broken families and communities, and we can step up to personally lend a hand where needed.

I’ve learned that, in the midst of the trial, we’ve got to call on God to intervene. We need to remember what He’s done in the past and anticipate what He will do in the future. And finally, we have to thank him that He’s there in the fire with us! Run to Jesus! Remember what He’s done in the past and cry for help. I can assure you, He will answer your prayer!

One thing is for sure: they will not realize their need for THE Savior if they don’t know that they are sinners. This requires prayer, it requires love, it requires time, and it requires perseverance. However, is there any other work you would rather do? In Heaven, only two things will remain, God’s Word and God’s people.

Friend, we have even more reason to be confident. Jesus Christ already conquered death. The battle is over, and as deep as the anger and pain can persist in our broken world, we can be continually confident and at peace knowing that this brokenness isn’t the end of the story. We already know the ending, and “Spoiler Alert” - Jesus comes out triumphant every time.

My salvation is wholly and completely in the person of Jesus Christ, and His Word tells me that I am an image-bearer - meaning I have the ability to behave like Christ, have a mind like Christ, and be more like Christ each and every day.

On more than one occasion, David was thrown into a crisis of identity by the accusations and indictments of people and powers stronger than him. With his confidence on shaky ground, David would slip into the Temple unannounced and ask Asaph to sing. And so, picking up the harp, Asaph would sing Psalm 50.

Friends, it is not about how much money we have, but about what we are doing with that which God has given us. It is a matter of perspective. And even more importantly, it is a matter of the heart. May we use what God has given us to be Good Neighbors and further His Kingdom on earth.

We don’t need to run to idols to fulfill and cope when we need a fortress to protect us. Rather than focusing on the challenges around us, let’s focus on the One who carries us through our days! Whatever you’re facing today, remember God is your fortress! Run to Him!

To clap your hands biblically is to express exaltation. No matter how your life is going today, this psalm reminds us to clap our hands to Jesus. It requires faith that Jesus is your great king who is sovereign over your personal life. If you are in Christ, you have a spiritual heritage that no sin or situation will ever take away! This is the gospel, my friends. This is what we are to clap for!

In Psalm 46, God isn’t advising for more hours in quiet prayer, as beneficial as that is. God is grabbing the hearts of a broken and ignorant world. Like an authoritative father to a mischievous toddler, God grabs our hand and firmly reminds us, “Be still. Stop. Knock it off. Remember who I am. Don’t fall for the traps of this world. Surrender to me.”