One of Those Days

A Series from the Psalms
God is my… Fortress
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Psalm 46

 [God is many things to many people. In this series, we will be looking at various Psalms that completes the statement “God is my…” Maybe ultimately this answers the question that we all ask at some point in our life, “Who is God to me?”.]

  

I had one of those days this past week at work. Monday in fact. It was one of those days when whatever could go wrong, did go wrong. There were interruptions on top of interruptions. The computer didn’t cooperate. Nothing worked, and I couldn’t get anything done. By the end of the day, I wasn’t just frustrated… I was mad!

My grandson likes to build forts. Mostly he builds them out of pillows and blankets; whatever is handy in the room at the time.

 Then he likes to get underneath and look at his iPad or read a book or sort his football cards. I guess that’s why he builds the forts; for privacy and protection against the world.

 

I would’ve liked to build a fort this week at work.

 

We all have those days where it feels like the world is out of control. Maybe it’s because of the pandemic, conflict at home, financial stress, health issues or maybe even… problems at work. Whatever it is, it just feels like one of those days.

 

Psalm 46 speaks into our hearts about life out of control, when everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. But no matter what turmoil is going on around us, or inside of us, God is our fortress.

 

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
² So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.      NLT

 

Martin Luther was inspired by this Psalm to write, “A Mighty Fortress is our God”. No doubt, he experienced “one of those days” himself.

 

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing:
Our helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.

 

We all try to protect ourselves from our out-of-control world; from crazy days at work or at home. And, like my Grandson who builds his forts, we build our own forts. If only, we/I could remember the words of Martin Luther. Or even better, remember the words of this Psalm. Then we would be reminded of the true Fortress.

 

¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God!
    I will be honored by every nation.
    I will be honored throughout the world.”

¹¹ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
    the God of Israel is our fortress.           NLT

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams