The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

(Psalm 46:11, English Standard Version)

As we noted in yesterday’s post, God was speaking in verse 10. As we move on to verse 11, the last verse in Psalm 46, we see that the speakers are the sons of Korah, the same speakers as in verses 1 through 9.

After God shows up and speaks up in verse 10, what else is there to say? The psalmists simply repeat their chorus of verse 7 – “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Notice that there is no more mention of the hardships mentioned earlier – earthquakes, roaring seas, raging nations, wars, to name a few. Only one thing matters – the presence of God with them.

Exodus chapter 33 was a very low time for the people of Israel. They were wandering in the desert, and were complaining about not going into the land that God had promised them. When Moses went before the Lord, God said that they could go in, but they were on their own – He would not go with them.

Moses realized the utter disaster of moving forward without God. He asked God, “For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” (Exodus 33:16, ESV, underlines mine) The only thing that made them unique from everyone else on earth was God with them.

And what was true for Moses and the people of Israel in ancient days is true for us today. Jesus was called Immanuel – “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

And God’s presence with His people in Psalm 46 was reiterated by Jesus after His resurrection:

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:20b, ESV)

Dear friends, this is the promise and reminder of Easter – Jesus has conquered death, and is with us in this life and life eternal when our time in this life is complete.

May you find peace and strength today as He goes with you.

Blessings,
~kevin