Psalm 46:1-7
In your groups have two different people read the passage separately. Afterwards have a third person narrate the passage in their own words.
Psalm 46:1-7
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 refuge.
Discuss:
1. What words/phrases are meaningful to you and why?
2. Verse 6 says that the the chaos is caused by God’s voice. Why do you think God admits that he is the one causing all the mayhem and then ask us to find comfort in him? Wouldn’t his admission do the opposite?
3. Read this quote: How does peace come about? Through a system of political treaties? Through the investment of international capital in different countries? Through the big banks, through money? Or through universal peaceful rearmament in order to guarantee peace? Through none of these, for the single reason that in all of them peace is confused with safety. There is no way to peace along the way to safety. For peace must be dared. It is the great venture. It can never be made safe. Peace is the opposite of security. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer DBWE 13
Why do you think Bonhoeffer believes that peace is the opposite of security? Do you agree with Bonhoeffer? Why or why not?
4. Where do you see mountains quaking and the sea surging in your own life? How do you think God wants you to find peace? If you feel comfortable, please share.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14