In Germany in the late 1930s, young Dr. Herbert Gezork was fortunate that he was sentenced to exile instead of execution. Yet the night before his departure for America, he wandered the streets of Hamburg in deep despair. He kept asking, "What hope is there in a world where demonic forces are triumphing?"

Then Gezork heard music coming from a church. He walked in and listened as the organist played the hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." The words of one stanza came to mind: "And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us." Gradually the truth of the lyrics sank into his soul and brought him peace.

The words of Psalm 46 can do the same for us in times of despair. The psalmist declares God's mastery over the forces of nature (vv.1-3) and His triumph over the nations (vv.4-10). The Lord will judge the wicked and rescue His people. To the restless and rebellious He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; . . . I will be exalted in the earth!" (v.10). We who know Him can joyfully exclaim, "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" (v.11). Our God reigns!  — Herbert Vander Lugt