Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
The raw power and thunderous sound of the Niagara Falls was something to behold as we stood before them today (Wednesday 18th July). As I approached the falls from upstream of the river Niagara my first thoughts were ‘what’s so special about this place?’
The Niagara river appears like any other fast flowing river, it has several weirs creating a sense of power, but nothing out of the ordinary. The only hint of what is to come is the large plume of spray rising into the sky which then falls as rain on the footpaths and the roar of the falling water.
Once the crest of the falls has been reached that sense of being underwhelmed is washed away as quickly as the river disappears over the crest.
That sense of power which can be observed from the top of the falls is nothing to the power experienced at the bottom of the falls. We took a boat trip up the Niagara river to the base of the falls. Instantly I was struck by the height and noise of the falls. The plume of mist appears to rise into the sky in such a way as it becomes indistinguishable from the clouds. There is water everywhere, below, above and all around as spray soaked everyone on the boat. There was a sense of power and might such as I have never experienced before.
Watching the falls, I couldn’t help but think of Psalm 46, therefore we will not fear though the earth gives 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. It appears that the mountains really do tremble at the swelling of the waters, our tour guide told us the falls have receded over 11km due to erosion.
While the falls themselves were majestic, the journey there was not. Driving in on the wrong side of the road in a strange car and roads has been stressful to say the least. At times it felt as though the waters were sweeping over me, it wasn’t only the mountains that were trembling, I was doing my fair share!
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
While the falls demonstrate immense power, it is nothing to the peace of God.
I certainly need to learn the lesson that the peace of God is greater than the power of this world. Trusting in God means remembering who he is and what he has done and trusting God to bring this peace to our lives.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
If Niagara has taught me anything it is the need to ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’