Fearless at the Cliff Edge

On a stormy winter night in 1639, the residents of Dunluce Castle on the coast of Northern Ireland were entertaining neighbors.

Dunluce is Gaelic for “strong fort” - and doubly strong it was even as the raging sea clawed at the basalt cliff on which the 12th century castle was built.

The surf pounded the rock that night until without warning the cliff-face crumbled and the kitchen wing of the castle collapsed into the sea plunging servants to their death.
Despite the grandeur of the castle and its impressive view, Lady Catherine MacDonnell lost her nerve and refused to live there after that night.

We stand fearless at the cliff edge of doom

courageous in sea-storm and earthquake,

Before the rush and roar of oceans,

the tremors that shift mountains . . .

Psalm 46 The Message

That’s how Eugene Peterson renders Israel’s Psalm 46 which describes God as an unshakable fortress for his people – a strong refuge that gives us the utmost confidence. For this reason, the song continues, we have nothing to fear even if the earth gives way or mountains collapse into the sea.

Make no mistake, storms assault us a hundred different ways. Calamities creep or crash upon us, but his psalm sings above the roar of circumstance. Surging waves can shatter our world, but God’s presence and God’s strength are unshakeable enduring realities.

German Christians in the 16th century rallied around Martin Luther as he faced papal outrage and fury. Luther’s hymn based on Psalm 46 A Mighty Fortress is Our God, became a marching song of the burgeoning protestant movement.

In November 1942, Japanese troops captured the Christian mission School at Cheefoo with its teachers and students - including the famous Eric Liddell of Chariots of Fire fame.

As they marched towards the concentration camps – and lived there in appalling conditions for the next five years, they sang the words of this psalm –

God is our refuge,

our refuge and our strength

In trouble, a very present help.

Therefore will we not fear;

Therefore will we not fear

The Lord of hosts is with us.

The God of Jacob is our refuge.

Rock-solid God,
Wherever people today feel their world is reeling and on the verge of collapse, let them know your peace as a powerful counter-force in their life. May the pounding surf subside and may the calm river of your presence gladden their hearts today. Amen.