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In a Tight Spot


                                                          

                                                     








We've all been there. In a tight spot, that is. Perhaps it's been as simple as not checking the cabinets for needed ingredients before baking, only to find you're out of that long forgotten, silent, seemingly unnecessary, cream of tartar. Who really needs it? Or you may find yourself at a dinner party and suddenly forget someone's name you must introduce to another. Every ounce of self-reliance available is kicked into overdrive as you scramble for how to get through this sticky social faux pas. My favorite is failing to look at the gas tank as I pass the exiting city limits sign. The list could continue, but the predicament is the same. You're in a tight spot. Scenarios such as these cause varying levels of discomfort and remind us of consequences that are sure to follow.

Though it is uncertain who the author of Psalm 46 is, it is believed to be Hezekiah, King of Judah, the Southern Kingdom of Israel. Hezekiah, a faithful king who worships and obeys God, witnessed the Assyrians, an aggressive and longstanding empire, conquer the Northern Kingdom and carry the people off into exile due to their failure to follow God. Now, it appears they are coming after Judah. This was a much more serious threat than a missing baking ingredient, forgetting a name, or a low gas tank. It concerns the future of the people God has entrusted to him as their leader. You might think he went right to work to organize his armies, inventory weapons, and coordinate all the disaster protocols of the day, but his focus is otherwise. Instead, Hezekiah confronted the enemy, and not only that, Hezekiah gave them all the gold and silver from the treasury and removed any of the precious metals from any ornamental places in the Kingdom. In short, he stripped the Kingdom of its wealth and offered it to the enemy in exchange for their peaceful departure. Then, with nothing left that could set him up as the reason for success, Hezekiah petitioned God for his intervention. God answered his prayer to their defense and saved them from the Assyrians. The Kingdom continued under His watchful care. 



What truly captivates me is considering Hezekiah's remarkable courage. In the face of imminent danger, he doesn't resort to conventional means of defense, such as counting his weaponry, assembling battle plans, or trusting his own strategies and tactics. Instead, he fearlessly surrenders his possessions to the enemy, placing his faith entirely in God's deliverance. This bold, seemingly risky strategy challenges most modern-day strategizing for dismal situations.  



Psalm 46, a hymn of praise, speaks not only to a specific nation chosen by God but to all of us who have embraced His Kingdom in our hearts. It echoes our belief in the power and presence of the Almighty God, who is our source, strength, defender, and constant companion in every aspect of our lives, especially in the challenging moments we all face. The Psalm is a comforting reminder that God is always with us, ready to help and protect us, no matter how dire our circumstances may seem. It encourages us to turn to Him in times of trouble, knowing He is our ultimate source of strength and security for all the tight spot moments of life.



God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Though its waters roar and foam, the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her; she will not fall; God will help her at the break of the day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, and the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth. "The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.


Psalm 46 1-11 NIV


Sources:


"Mesopotamia." History, 24 Apr. 2023, www.history.com/topics/ancient-middle-east/mesopotamia#Where_Is_Mesopotamia? Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.


"What Does Psalm 46 Mean?" BibleRef.com. https://www.bibleref.com/Psalm/46/Psalm-46-46.html.

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