Storm Season - The Shelter in the Storm

Psalms 46:1-11 NIV 

[1] God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, [3] though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. [4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. [5] God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. [6] Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. [7] The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. [8] Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. [10] He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” [11] The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.1-11.NIV)

A number of years ago we visited the Norwegian fjords. They are a bucket list destination – absolutely stunning. We were also blessed with good weather, which doesn’t always happen.  

As we were strolling around tiny villages with truly magnificent natural settings, I was surprised to see signs showing a tsunami evacuation route. I had imagined these to be an issue for countries along the Pacific Ring of Fire. We were thousands of miles away from there. Why would an idyllic Norwegian village in a stunning fjord need a tsunami escape route? 

The reason is very striking. Fjords are carved into deep cliffs. These cliffs are formed by many thousands of tonnes of rock. Should rock ever collapse, it would generate a tsunami that could easily obliterate the village and everyone in it. 

They were living in one of the most beautiful locations in the world, but they had to still beware, because the very thing that bequeathed their village it’s beauty could also destroy them. 

We in the West must accept that to much of the world we live in an ideal situation. I realise that we might not perceive it as such. However, most of us don’t need to worry about natural disasters or war or famine or issues with our water supply or access to medical or educational services. They are there. It’s very easy for us to coast through life as if it owes us a favour. 

This very nature of Western life is what can cause us to be complacent and to not give eternity, or God, a second thought. 

Yet this psalm tells us to do exactly that. From the outside, it may seem like a psalm about calamities: battles, wars, violent storms. 

It’s not. This is a psalm about God. 

It is something of a remarkable psalm. It’s written by the sons of Korah. Korah died at God’s hand when he and other Levites rebelled against Moses (Numbers 16). These men were part of David's worship leaders in the Temple (2 Chronicles 20:19). These were not people who'd had an easy life. They had known trouble and turmoil. So when they wrote this psalm, it was not because they felt some people might appreciate it. No, these men had experienced it. 

This psalm speaks of four of God’s provisions for us when we experience turmoil and trouble – the storms of life – so that we can be encouraged and blessed by them. 

The first is The Refuge. 

The Refuge 

Psalms 46:1 NIV 

[1] God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.1.NIV)

If you go walking into the Scottish countryside, you will often come across small empty cottages called bothies. These bothies are set aside for use by anyone. They are absolutely necessary and could save lives. The weather in rural Scotland can turn quickly, even in summer. These bothies provide shelter from the elements until help arrives or the conditions change. 

God here is described as a refuge, a shelter from the elements of the storms of life – a kind-of supernatural bothy. He is described as our help and our strength. 

But that doesn’t quite cover the sheer force of the Hebrew words in this verse. It doesn’t just describe God as someone who is ‘there’. Having people ‘there’ when you are suffering is nice. It is a source of inspiration and strength.  

This psalm goes deeper. God is our refuge, our strength and is ‘abundantly there’ or ‘there in abundance’. That is, He is there and His Presence is felt profoundly. Were it to be taken from us, it would be profoundly missed.

Psalm 91 describes in lucid detail what this means for the believer. 

In short, it means salvation. It means that God will rescue us from whatever is against us. We don’t just hold out until the winds change, we hold on for victory. 

As Solomon wrote: 

Proverbs 18:10 NIV 

[10] The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/pro.18.10.NIV)

When we are in trouble, we run to the Lord and He keeps us safe until victory arrives. 

Contrast this verse with the elements ranged against us: 

Psalms 46:2-3 NIV 

[2] Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, [3] though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.2-3.NIV)

By anyone’s reckoning, what is being described here is an earthquake, followed by some kind of tsunami. In other words, one of the most serious natural disasters possible, and something that would devastate a modern community, let alone an ancient one. If something even akin to this is announced, people across the world pay instant attention. They know an enormous and unpreventable disaster could be imminent. 

Yet these verses say that we should not be afraid. 

Why? 

Perhaps this verse, on why we should not fear people, can explain: 

Matthew 10:28 NIV 

[28] Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.10.28.NIV)

A disaster like this can destroy everything we have that is precious in this life. It can even take our life. But it cannot harm our soul. It has no effect at all on our eternity. It cannot even touch it. 

When we make the Lord our refuge, we are safe. When we make anything from this life – our money, our means, our methodologies – our refuge, then all that we have will be swept away. 

The way to face serious and uncontrollable problems in life is not to panic or to despair, but to trust in God as our refuge and our strength: 

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV 

[28] Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. [29] He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. [30] Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.40.28-31.NIV)

As well as our refuge, we also see here a mention of Our City. 

Our City 

Psalms 46:4-6 NIV 

[4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. [5] God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. [6] Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.4-6.NIV)

One of the best things about travel is flying over a city at night, particularly a famous one like London or New York or Istanbul that has clearly recognisable landmarks. Seeing the city you are approaching get larger and larger as you get nearer is a great encouragement. It puts an extra spring in your step to know that it’s getting closer. 

What we see here is a clear description of Jerusalem: the city to which every male Jew was ordered to make a pilgrimage to worship God twice a year. Some of those journeys would have been long. The emotional effect of seeing the city was so magnificent that fifteen Psalms were written about it. One of them includes these words: 

Psalms 122:1-4 NIV 

[1] I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” [2] Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem. [3] Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. [4] That is where the tribes go up— the tribes of the Lord— to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel.  

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.122.1-4.NIV)

We can understand, then, how it would feel to arrive at Jerusalem to worship with many thousands of other Jews after a long, and at times, challenging, journey.  But there is a particular aspect of peace in Jerusalem that is mentioned here in this Psalm: It's a city under siege. 

Psalms 46:5 NIV 

[5] God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.  

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.5.NIV)

This happened many, many times in Jewish history. It seemed that the opposing armies saw a city that was not next to a river or the sea and thought it would be easy pickings. Jerusalem also sat on a major trade route between two ancient superpowers: Egypt and Babylon. It had a very strategic location. It’s not at all hard to understand why it became such a target. 

We can’t know exactly when this Psalm was written. However, a historical event that would match this perfectly happened under the rule of King Hezekiah, when the Babylonians besieged Jerusalem under their commander Sennacherib (2 Kings 19; 2 Chronicles 32:1-32; Isaiah 36 and 37). He’d came with utterly overwhelming force. Given that Judah had already been weakened by successive waves of raids and invasions, it would have seemed like Jerusalem would have been ripe for the taking. 

Yet this happened: 

Psalms 46:5-6 NIV 

[5] God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. [6] Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.5-6.NIV)

When the Israelites woke up the next day, the angel of the Lord had slain all of the invading force. Their commander Sennacherib returned to his country in disgrace and was assassinated by his own sons. 

God fought for Jerusalem because, as the sons of Asaph noted, His Presence was there. 

Have you ever felt like you have been surrounded, besieged and deprived of resources?

Have you ever felt utterly overwhelmed by your situation? 

I want you to pay attention to these verses that God said about Jerusalem. They say that God is in her so she will not fall. This is what other Bible verses say: 

Romans 8:10-11 NIV 

[10] But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.8.10-11.NIV)

Colossians 1:27 NIV 

[27] To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/col.1.27.NIV)

1 John 4:4 NIV 

[4] You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/1jn.4.4.NIV)

Understand this and understand it clearly: when Christ is in you and you are in Christ, you win. You win! 

And nothing this world could ever do, and no-one who could ever do it, can stop that victory. 

Romans 8:37-39 NIV 

[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.8.37-39.NIV)

No matter what people say about you or do to you, they cannot, ever, prevent you from being more than a conqueror when you are in Christ and Christ is in you. 

But Jerusalem fell. It fell to the Babylonians. Thousands of people died. Thousands more were taken into captivity. 

What can we say about that? 

There is one factor more than anything that made the difference: the Glory of God left the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 10). They were not in Him; He was not in them. 

That is why they failed, were defeated and exiled. 

We have seen in our first point how God is the refuge, to whom we run for help. Now we see that God is the Presence in our city who helps us overcome. Thirdly, we see that God is Our Fortress. 

Our Fortress 

Psalms 46:7-11 NIV 

[7] The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. [8] Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. [10] He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” [11] The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.7-11.NIV)

One of the reasons we love Europe is that it’s flecked with thousands of castles and fortresses. Some of them can be very attractive. 

Now, fortresses were not built to become tourist attractions. I doubt if it even occurred to a Middle Ages king that if he build himself a fortress, in years to come it might feature on Instagram and that someone could make a fortune charging for entry tickets, and even more for audio guides. 

Fortresses were for defence. They weren’t built so an army could pick them up and charge at their opponents. They were built primarily for safety and security, not for history and beauty.  

Fortresses were necessary because of fear: fear of attack. 

God is our fortress. That means He is the source of our strength and our defence against an attacking foe. 

This is not the only time God is mentioned as our fortress. It’s a constant picture throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the Psalms: 

Psalms 28:8 NIV 

[8] The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.28.8.NIV)

Psalms 48:2-3 NIV 

[2] Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. [3] God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.48.2-3.NIV)

Psalms 59:9-10 NIV 

[9] You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, [10] my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.59.9-10.NIV)

Psalms 62:6 NIV 

[6] Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.62.6.NIV)

Psalms 91:1-2 NIV 

[1] Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.91.1-2.NIV)

But this psalm is quite unique in its approach to this concept. 

In the other psalms, the psalmist sees God as his fortress as somewhere he can shelter during the attack. In this psalm, the psalmist envisions God ending the attack: not just around Jerusalem but to the ends of the earth. He sees God not just bringing peace within Jerusalem, but everywhere. 

He’s not just ending a war or some wars, He’s ending all wars. 

This is the ultimate expression of Psalm 91’s wonderful promise: 

Psalms 91:9-10 NIV 

[9] If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, [10] no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.91.9-10.NIV)

Why?  

Because there is no more harm; there is no disaster. 

Making the Lord our fortress brings peace, within and without. 

This is why we see this verse: 

Proverbs 18:10 NIV 

[10] The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/pro.18.10.NIV)

There is nothing else and there is no-one else who can promise you this, because no-one else is God. 

As Isaiah stated: 

Isaiah 26:3 NIV 

[3] You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.26.3.NIV)

This is what it means to make the Lord your fortress. It means to trust in Him now to make good on His promise to bring you peace, both now and forever; to end every attack and struggle that you might have; to break every weapon aimed against you. 

 Isaiah 54:13-17 NIV 

[13] All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace. [14] In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. [15] If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you. [16] “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; [17] no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.54.13-17.NIV)

So is the Lord truly your fortress? 

From seeing our refuge, city and fortress, we move on to Our God. 

Our God 

Psalms 46:10-11 NIV 

[10] He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” [11] The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.10-11.NIV)

Isn’t it interesting that to find peace people often head to countryside retreats or desolate places? They’ve done so since Bible times. Sometimes it can help. We can gain a different perspective by being away from our problems. 

But sometimes it doesn’t.  

We can change our location. We can change our occupation. We can even change our assignation. But if we don’t tackle the turmoil inside, we will never really change our situation. That is something this generation needs to hear. 

This psalm is about someone who is in a terrible situation – on the outside. They are facing natural disaster, war and fear. Yet this psalm teaches that it is possible to overcome it all.

How? 

One single sentence: ‘Be still and know that I am God’. 

Now, we need to understand what this really means. The word ‘still’ here doesn’t just mean ‘to stand still’ or even ‘to sit down’. It actually means ‘to relax’,  ‘to let go’, ‘to be quiet’.

What God is saying through this psalm is so deep and profound that we need to hear it – to really hear it.  

What He is saying is this: ‘Stop worrying. Stop fretting. Cast the anxiety aside. Stop arguing. Stop striving. Let go. Because I’ve got this. I have it under control. Because I am God. I’m on the throne. I haven’t abdicated. I haven’t resigned. I haven’t been fired. It might seem like I’ve gone, but I’ve not gone anywhere. I’m still here. And I’m working this out for your good and my glory. So, trust me. Just trust me.’ 

Christian, did you hear those words? 

This is the core of resilience. This is what we need to thrive, or even survive, when life seems to have taken a turn against us. 

Paul said something similar to the Philippians: 

Philippians 4:4-9 NIV 

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/php.4.4-9.NIV)

Do you understand? 

When, like Peter, you take your eyes off Jesus and set them on the wind and the waves, you will sink (Matthew 14:30). But when you are still, when you stop striving and arguing, and know that He is God and you set your focus on that, then you walk on the waves and you make it through the storm.  

Sailors never anchor their ship to jelly and trifle. There’s a good reason why. If they did, their ship would drift. They anchor it to something firm and unmoving. 

If you anchor your life to knowing that God is God, and He will be exalted in your life, then you will stand firm as others drift. 

But maybe you’re questioning the logic of this command. After all, if we are in the middle of a storm, there maybe things we can do to mitigate it’s effects apart from being still. If we are being asked to evacuate a burning or collapsing building, surely being still is the last thing we should do? 

That’s where a correct understanding of this verse is imperative. We are not being told to not do anything at all. We are being told to still our spiralling anxieties and worries, to lay aside our pain and our burdens, and to realise deep in our soul that God is in control. Then, and in the light of that critical realisation, we do what we need to do. 

Because that deep conviction, that realisation and knowledge, shapes our attitude and perspective towards our situation, calms the raging fire of our emotions and helps us to do what we need to do calmly and under control. 

Are you in a crisis? Do you feel overwhelmed? Is there no help in sight? Be still and know that God is still God. 

And then act. 

Conclusion 

Psalms 46:10-11 NIV 

[10] He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” [11] The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.10-11.NIV)

You might be reading these lines and saying to yourself, ‘Ah! Paul knows nothing about how it feels to suffer. He’s hidden away in some theological high tower in Scotland. This is all theory to him. He doesn’t know how it feels to be me.’ 

Let me correct that notion. I am writing this study on October 2, 2025. On September 30, just two days ago, the island of Cebu in the Philippines was shaken by an earthquake what was 6.9 on the Richter scale. More than seventy people are dead. The town of Bogo, where one of my wife’s friends is from, has been reduced to rubble. My daughter’s cousins are in an area that has been experiencing aftershocks, some of them severe, every few minutes, including through the night. We lost contact with our family on Leyte after the earthquake due to power issues and only received word a day later that they were fine. 

My wife, who already this year has lost her father, is recovering from an operation to remove a benign lump and has also had to wait overnight for contact after her family were struck by a dangerous typhoon, gets through the day by listening to Christian music. 

I have needed this study just as much as you. 

And I want to tell you a straightforward, honest truth:  

Life can be hard. There are days when you feel like the world is against you, you feel beseiged and you're afraid and you feel like you could just run away from it all. 

But the only way – literally the only way – you and I are going to get through this is if we choose to make the Lord Almighty our refuge and our fortress. Nothing else will work. Not alcohol. Not drugs. Not sex. Not partying. Not fantasies. Not sport. Not anything.  

Just God. 

And so, yes, we’ve seen our refuge and our city and our fortress. But through all the clamour and the noise, this psalm is about our God. 

So at the very heart of this study is actually a personal plea: a plea for you to join me in making the Lord your own personal refuge and fortress; to run to Him and be saved. 

Because nothing else will work.  

And if we trust in God, we will make it. 

Prayer 

Lord, nothing else will work but You. And so I abandon my stress and my straining and my striving. It isn’t working for me anyway. Instead, I trust in You. Help me to still my anxious heart and to know that You are God, despite what the world around me would have me believe. Amen. 

Questions for Contemplation 

• What forces are ranged against the psalmist to try to convince him that God is not God? Are you facing any of these? 

• What four pictures does the psalmist us to give us strength when we face hard times? 

• How does knowing that God is still God give us strength? Is this what you believe?