1st Sunday of End Time - Series B
Reformation Sunday
November 2, 2003
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields 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 Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Dear Friends in Christ:
I think that you are all at least familiar with the TV show “Survivor,” whether you have watched it or not. It is what they call now a “reality” game show. 16 people are put into an environment like an island, and the goal is to be the winner of a $1 million prize. Fortunately for the participants, they are voted off by the other participants, not burned at the stake of sacrificed to a volcano. After they are voted off about the worst thing that happens is they might be humiliated on the internet. In fact, they are flown from the hostile environment in which they have been living, and taken to a posh resort. Many of them make TV appearances and some even are able to launch a new career afterward.
The modern day game show “Survivor” pales in comparison to the high stakes game of life that Martin Luther became involved in when he opposed the established authorities in the Church. For Martin Luther spiritual survival was of foremost importance, and he understood how important that was for every person. No matter what may happen in life, no matter how bad circumstances may get, spiritual survival comes first. Martin Luther had it straight. He knew that spiritual survival in a hostile spiritual environment dictates a firm confession of faith.
For us in our spiritual environment it has not really gotten any easier. The Bible tells us to expect trials and troubles as we struggle to survive the hostile wilderness of this world. But, today in the words of Psalm 46 the LORD will tell us
HOW TO BE A SPIRITUAL SURVIVOR
1. Where we can find shelter
2. Where we can find security
3. Where we can find deliverance
SHELTER
In our God and in his Word we find shelter from the storms of life. David writes in the Psalm:
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
We prefer to live in a calm and peaceful place. But the devil would like to stir the pot and give us trouble. Every day there is a potential described in the words here: “its waters roar and foam.” The enemies of the Christian and of the Church on earth are many. There is constant danger to our own families and children. There is danger of the world as we know it crashing down in turmoil. Frequently I hear reports from the Synod leaders of the difficulties facing us as a church body in the world - over the last 10 years, our fellowship has been growing, but at the same time we have lost 107,000 people. Sometimes there is damaging infighting within a congregation. Who does not have financial troubles?
We all need shelter. The ground of our world may seem shaky, and we need a place to stand safely. In the words of Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. God is our shelter. Not just a spiritual shade, but a fortress, a stronghold that will not be shaken. Go to him. Use his shelter. Martin Luther found shelter in the very strong arms of his Lord, and so do we.
SECURITY
Humanly speaking, in this world there are no guarantees about anything. As often and rapidly as the weather can change, so can our fortunes in life. When things go wrong, people try to find security for their lives in all the wrong places. They will put their trust in: a marriage counselor; a financial consultant; the star quarterback on the football team.
But there is no guarantee that any of these will bring peace and security into our life.
We think the answer to our problems will be found if we have more money, if we know the right people, or if we just roll up our sleeves and work harder. Do not fall into the trap of trying to find earthly solutions to spiritual problems! When it comes to the final decision of who will survive and who will be voted off, the deciding vote of God will be against those who have depended on themselves.
Rather, hear the comforting words of the Psalm:
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High
dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
You are the “city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” You have been made a citizen of God’s city by the call of his Grace. The river of his love have been poured into you, and the streams of love create glad hearts within you. It is the Word of God which gives real life, and not anything of this earth, because the Word of God tell you about Jesus Christ, the Savior. The Word tells how Jesus did it all, all for us. Because of him, the Church will endure through every period of danger and difficulty, and on into eternity.
DELIVERANCE
In the days of the Lutheran Reformation, there were often times when things looked very bad. Martin Luther was declared an outlaw, a price was put on his dead. It was like the days of our old wild west: Wanted - Dead of Alive, and Dead would be better! Luther’s close friend and companion was Philipp Melanchton. When times were especially dark, and Melanchton grew very anxious about how it would all turn out, Martin Luther told him: “I would rather perish with Christ than rule with Caesar.” Then he would say to Philipp, “Come, Philipp, let us sing a Psalm together.” And that Psalm would be Psalm 46. From Psalm 46 Luther wrote the verses of the hymn we have sung, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
If you are always in survival mode, fighting against temptation, sin, and the dangers all around you, then you are looking for deliverance, for rescue. Deliverance will come finally, when Jesus returns on Judgment Day to take us to everlasting peace and joy with him. That day will come, and these words will be fulfilled:
8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields 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."
Spiritual Survival is not a game. It is the single most important aspect of our lives. It is real. We will always have to fight a battle against the devil, the world and our flesh, and if we try to do it ourselves, it will be a disaster. But let us do as Martin Luther did, turn to the Lord, and put our trust in him. In the Psalm the Lord says, “Stop.” Don’t try to do anything on your own. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The key to survival, in this life and in the next, is to trust the Lord. How wonderful! How to be a survivor: take these words to heart, and you will thrive, both now and forever.
AMEN.
