Psalm 46

 

Psalm 46 is a memorable and powerful affirmation of the person of God, of YAHWEH,

a song of  confidence and absolute trust.  So writes J. Clinton McCann , Jr., Professor of

Biblical Interpretation at Eden Seminary in St. Louis.  It is the source of Martin Luther’s

impressive hymn which energized the Reformation, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”  The

writer of this psalm invites you and me to “consider the works” of this God “and see what

desolations he has brought on the earth,” for when “he utters his voice, the earth melts.”  

          Psalm 46 is unique among these psalms which proclaim the creative power

and genius of God.  With great poetic contrast, our author parallels God’s terribleness and

awesomeness with these words, “’Be still and know that I am God.’”  The mood and the

tense shift dramatically.  In just one verse, God speaks in the first person. The great “I Am”

speaks.  All the other ten verses are in the third person, affirmations about God.  This one

verse is enough, “Be still and know that I am God.”Out of the great whirlwind and storm,

Elijah hiding in the cave heard God’s whisper. It was enough to comfort and strengthen him.  

This first person voice speaks to Heartsill today and it is sufficient to comfort and strengthen

you in your loss and grief.

           I remember Polly as a quiet, dignified, but elegant lady.  Each time I went over to

their home to visit, Pug would greet me with excited barks from the other side of the garage

entrance. Heartsill would wave me in, then say, “Can you wait a minute, Pastor Dave.  Polly

has to get ready.”  And I would sit in the living room, until the two of them would gradually

make their way in. Polly sat in her chair, and she would say in her quiet, calm, but very

cheerful voice, “Oh, it is so good to see you. Thank you for  visiting us, Pastor Dave. You

are so kind.”  The last time we exchanged this liturgy was on Christmas afternoon. This

was what really warmed my Christmas day, those few minutes near the corner of Quanah

and Bradley with the three of them.  [PAUSE]

          Heartsill met  her in the middle of  a downtown street in Russellville in 1936.

She was carrying a pair of pants to be altered. Polly Anna Robertson was a student at Tech. 

“On a Saturday I had my first date with her, we had to walk, not many cars were allowed
for students.   (At the end of the date) I pecked her on the cheek and shoved her inside.
Then the dorm mother had a house meeting and told the 30 girls, ‘There is no petting
in public!

“Since that time we have been together 73 and a half years. I joined church around 12
years old; it’s the only church I ever remember. January 15^th, 1938, we married. She
joined right after we were married. Fritz Heidelberg, he did our wedding.”

 Polly and Heartsill would sit in the back at the end of the pew (left side). They would

leave down the side aisle during the last hymn, Skye Turley was with them, and I would

leave the pulpit and walk down to greet them.  The exit over here is called “Heartsill’s exit.”

According to Marian Bartlett, ”the main thing about Polly was her sense of style.  She

was  impeccable in her dress, whether going to a concert or church, or shopping at Kroger.

Every hair was in place and she looked as good as she possibly could.”  That is what I

remember about Polly.  Even when I visited her at St. Mary’s Hospital, she had to be

presentable.  Or when I took Communion to the home.  One could not drop in for that. No!

By appointment please, so she could get ready.   She loved color coordinating the outfits

she wore, especially beige.  Polly loved to dress up going out on the town or to church. 

She loved to cook, mainly pastries.  Heartsill told me.  “I am a sweet lover. “After she

Retired, she loved to go all over Russellville shopping. I didn’t like it if she came in a little

Before dark, because I thought women should be home before dark.”

 “When she lived in Centerville, Arkansas, she would have ladies come to her house and she would do
‘finger waves’ for ten cents a set. She earned spending money when she was goin to Arkansas Tech by
cutting hair, setting and curling hair—there weren’t hot curlers, blow dryers or curling irons back then.”  (Marian Bartlett)

This God of the 46^th Psalm is not only the One who speaks, makes mountains shake

in the heart of the sea and its waters roar.”  He is the same One who summons us, who

invites us to be still and know him in his stillness.  He is the God of the Psalms who also

laughs in the heavens and has the kings of earth in derision and confusion.  Heartsill told

me over the phone when I was interviewing him from my motel room in Chicago, “Make this

a happy time, tell one of your jokes, Pastor Dave.”                  

        This God  “is our refuge and strength, a very present hope in trouble.” Jesus says  

God numbers each  hair on our head . The One who keeps our coming out and our going in,

cares for a mother bird in her nest, delights in  Leviathan skipping in the ocean, and hears

the prayer of an old man of 4 score and 10.   This is from  Psalm 104….

 

“O LORD, YAHWEH, how manifold are your works! 

In wisdom have you made them all

Living things both small and great,

These all look to you,

To give them their food in due season

When you open your hand,

They are filled with good things.

When you hide your face, they are dismayed.

When you take away their breath, they die.

When you send forth your Spirit,

They are created;

And you renew the face of the ground.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!”

           “Pug is our third dog. He is 11 years old, a Boston Terrier. Supposedly they are the

only true American-bred dog.  The first one was given to us by one of my employess,”

Heartsill told me.  Like the creed in the 104^th Psalm, I had to open my hands and show Pug 

that they were filled with good things --a couple of cookies that Polly had baked, no doubt,

won over Pug the Third’s friendship.  He was always at Polly’s side.   The three Boston

Terriers were their family.  Rev. Dick Neeley is here sitting with the Bartlett family—They

are dog people! Well, we all know that prayer, “Lord, please make me the person my dog

thinks I am.”  Here is a blessing by Joanne Hirase- Stacey.  She calls it, “The Perfect

Friend.”  It is a creed to live by. I dedicate this to the love Polly had for her most

unpugnacious pet:

 

If I greeted everyone happily
Instead of eyeing with distrust
If I didn’t pass judgment
But accepted all
If I listened intently
With understanding in my eyes
If I brought comfort
All the time, no matter what                        
If I loved unconditionally
Without reservation
If I lived life more simply
Instead of worrying so much
If I played tirelessly
And didn’t work so hard                   
If I made people smile                      
Just by my presence in the room
If I experienced true joy
At the little things in life
Then I’d be the perfect friend
Just like my dog.

 

                Paul echoes the thoughts of the writer of Psalm 46 and also of Psalm 104.  He says,

“We know that in everything God works for good … But there  are two important kickers or

qualifiers here…”for those who love him, who are called  according to his purpose.”  That is

as good a definition of predestination as you could want.

 “We know  that in everything  God works for good with those who love him, who are  called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined tobe conformed to the image of his Son…”

           Paul goes on to tell us that everyone of us who love God, who are called according to

His purpose,  people like Polly and Heartsill,  Jesus  also justifies and glorifies.  Therefore,

“in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us,” and nothing,

nothing in all creation shall ever be able to separate us from his love in Christ—even if we

die, if we are being killed, or regarded like sheep for the slaughter.  It is Christ Jesus, our

Living Lord and Savior who we know intercedes for Pollyanna Robertson Bartlett at the right

hand of God.  [PAUSE]

 

          “’Be still and know that I am God.

          I am exalted among the nations,

          I am exalted in the earth!

          The LORD of hosts is with us;

          The God of Jacob is our refuge.’”

 

I conclude with this benediction from Paul in Ephesians 6:

 

“Peace be to you, brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love undying.”

         

Amen.