Jumping from Skyscrapers to Helicopters
Have you ever watched an action-thriller movie featuring a scene of a terrifying natural disaster? Maybe it’s a tsunami or flood that sweeps away everything in its path. Maybe it’s a fire that consumes an entire city. Maybe it’s an earthquake that splits the ground in half and swallows up everything in sight.
We know these films are unrealistic, wildly exaggerated for Hollywood, and using over-the-top special effects. But they keep us on the edge of our seats. Perhaps the craziest part is that, somehow, a mortal human defies physics and not only survives but also rescues others in a little boat or a helicopter!
Long before movies were made, Psalm 46 painted a similar picture of a natural disaster: “Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling” (Psalm 46:2–3).
I don’t know about you, but if I were portrayed accurately as a movie character in this situation, Paul Tripp would be done for! There’s no way I’m surviving a natural disaster at its peak strength or jumping from a burning skyscraper to a flying helicopter.
But in real life, far from a Hollywood green screen, I’m not sure I could honestly say that my theological response would be that of the Psalmist: “Therefore we will not fear…”
Why is the Psalmist at rest? What is the therefore there for? Because “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (v. 1).
Psalm 46 encourages us that we can live through the worst trouble imaginable and experience the scariest, biggest disasters possible, yet still not fear. While we would instinctively have a fearful response triggered by circumstances like this, the Psalmist is exhorting us not to have hearts dominated and ruled by fear.
As children of God, we can rest because our hope is not in the mountains. Our hope is not in the seas. Our hope is not in a comfortable life and a predictable schedule. Our hope is in the Lord, the Creator and Ruler over the mountains and the seas, and our Father, the God of Jacob, who is our fortress (v. 11).
The Psalmist concludes by arguing for and reminding us of the utter sovereignty of God. “Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire” (vv. 8–9).
All the events in history, all the twists and turns of your individual story, every situation, location, and relationship you would ever find yourself in, all sit under the wise and holy rulership of the Lord.
This is why we can be still.
I, like you, am still too anxious. I am still too fearful. I still have too many questions. I still worry way too much.
Yes, life in a fallen world with broken people is confusing, scary, hurtful, and outside of our control. But no matter how confusing, scary, full of hurt, and out-of-control life seems, our hope is not in our understanding or power.
Our hope is in the Lord. “He is on your side; leave to your God to order and provide.”
That last sentence is from the classic hymn, “Be Still My Soul.” There are two phenomenal hymns written out of Psalm 46: “Be Still My Soul” and “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
I would encourage you to sing both hymns today, and because Luella’s favorite hymn is “Be Still My Soul,” I will conclude with the full lyrics below.
You can rest in unanswered questions and a future you can’t see, predict, or control, because the Lord of hosts is with you. The God of Jacob is your refuge.
God bless,
Paul David Tripp
Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul! your God does undertake
To guide the future as he has the past;
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he lived below.
Be still, my soul! when dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shall you better know his love, his heart,
Who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.
Be still, my soul! your Jesus can repay
From his own fullness all he takes away.
Be still, my soul! the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still my soul! when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
A Prayer for Today: God, because of the fact that I cannot see, predict, or control the future, I’m tempted to be anxious and fearful. But Lord, help me to trust not in clairvoyance or control over my life’s circumstances. Instead, help me to trust in you, knowing that you are always with me, regardless of what I’m going through. Remind me of your presence. Remind me of your power. Remind me of your sovereignty. Bless me with the grace of knowing who you are and therefore trusting in your ways, even when I can’t fully see or understand them. I need you to give me the power to trust you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Discussion Prompt for Children
1. What makes you the most afraid? Why do you think you’re fearful because of that specific thing/person/event?
2. What does it mean to be ruled by someone or something? How can a person be ruled by fear itself? What do you think is true of someone who is ruled by fear? Do you think that’s a good or fun way to live? Why is it a bad and unhelpful way to live?
3. What do you think it means to trust God even when things are bad? Have you ever had to do that before? Have you ever seen me trust God in a bad situation? What was true of me during that time?
4. When we don’t understand what’s going on in our lives or understand what God is doing, why do you think we can still trust him? How can I help you trust him even when life is hard? How do you think you can help me to trust him even when things are hard or bad?
Reflection Questions
1. When was a time when you would say your heart was dominated and ruled by the element of fear? What was that season like for you? How were you able to get out of it? How do you think God met you in that difficult time? What did the Lord teach you in that season? Who in your life is helping you to respond to difficult circumstances in a way that is different from previous ways when you’ve responded with overwhelming fear and anxiety?
2. What do you think it would practically look like if you lived your life under the belief that God is good, loving, and sovereign over all things…even when your circumstances might be telling you a different story?
3. List the characteristics of someone who consistently lives their life with hope in the Lord. What is the gap between those characteristics and how you would describe yourself when difficult circumstances arise in your life? How can you be praying that God would close that gap for you in the coming hours, days, weeks, months, and years?
4. How do you think a Christian can practically rest in unanswered questions and in a future they can’t see, understand, or control?