Thought for the week

THERE is change, and there is upheaval. We can cope with change; upheaval is different.

The message coming over the media is that we are entering a time of upheaval. That resonates with many. Political change blends with worry about pensions and fear of the unknown. If we think we have reason to fear then we should remember people who are losing home and livelihood to climate change or those suffering genocide in the Middle East.

It also chimes with something Jesus said, ‘ People will faint as they fearfully wait for what will happen to the world’.

But the writer of Psalm 46 gives a different message – ‘ We will not fear, though the earth gives way…’ He is speaking on behalf of what he calls ‘ the city of God’, the society of God’s people within the larger society.

In his world cities stood for stability and security. He also refers to ‘a river whose streams make glad the city of God’. He sees God constantly refreshing his people even in the worst of times.

The Bible is realistic about trouble. It mentions God calling societies to return to him, eventually abandoning them when they refuse. It also speaks about his loyalty to those who do return, and the hope he gives, even following the footsteps of Jesus’ resurrection.

‘ Remember me, Lord, with the love you show to your people.’ ‘We will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea’ ( Psalm 46:2)