Psalm 46 God is our Stregnth
On Saturday last week this nation (UK) ideological believed that humanity was coming of age and poverty could be made history, On Wednesday London was a sea of optimism and celebration delighting in gaining the 2012 Olympics But on Thursday another ideological dream made it all pale into insignificance as the four bombs exploded brining the city of London to an abrupt halt!
We live in a troubled world, and yet to a great extent many of us are isolated from it, w feel far removed as if we are cocooned in a bubble. But on Thursday 7th July in the City of London, as a number of strategically placed bombs were placed in tube stations and upon a bus the death toll so far reaching 49 people and injuring over 700 our impregnable bubble was burst.
God uses strange ministers Habakuk 1: 5-7.
At the time of hearing the news I was with a fellow minister in prayer, praying that God would wake this nation up! After prayer we heard from somebody that a bus and a number of underground tubes had been blown up.
Close to home
My college then received a phone call from his mother explaining that his sister was safe as she was in London at the time. She had just come out of Kings cross-station and had missed the explosion by minutes, she was safe others were not. At that point I realised that Danielle’s brother works on the buses in London, immediately I phoned Danielle’s mum. He was safe but others were not.
In a troubled world Christians need to have a clear Biblical understanding of life. Because when evil takes place and tragedies happen we can with confidence know Gods presence.A Christ centred worldview is like a raft composed of 4 mighty trunks: Creation, the fall, redemption and Christ’s final return with these four central pillars we should be able to negotiate the torrents and the rapids that will come against us in life.
(Notice I said negotiate, it will not be easy)
As Christians we should have this Biblical framework in our minds and hearts because it will enable us to responded and help in such circumstances. Enabling us to answer some of the difficult questions like ‘Why did this happen?’ ‘Where is God?’ What hope is there?’
These questions cannot be answered with glib platitudes, but when responding to such questions we must have in view the Biblical framework but also answers must be shared in a spirit of love but not at the expense of truth.
I want to share with you a few truths from psalm 46.
The first one is deeply worrying but completely Biblical a Christian doctrine which is hardly ever proclaimed, I consider it to be so, because its so unpalatable to the human mind.
First Judgement is coming.
The second one offers everybody hope in trouble times if only they be still and know that He is God. The last one is the bedrock for a Christian the assurance of His presence in times of trouble and ultimate peace in the world to come.
1) Judgement is coming. V2,v3,v6
Judgement to come is made light of today, with films like Arnold Swarzanigger in Judgement day. But intrinsic in each and every human being is the sense of Judgement, we expect it, don’t we! We have our criminal justice system with our law courts justice is at the heart of humanity because it’s at the heart of God. God is just and he demands Justice.
Psalm 9:16 The Lord is known by His Justice.
Psalm 11:7 The Lord is righteous he loves justice.
Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and Justice are the foundation of your throne
Why is their judgement? Doctrine of the fall and sin
Because God is just a righteous judgement is coming, and we see the signs of it in this eschatological psalm. Remember in Noah’s day.
Gen.6:5. The Lord saw how great mans wickedness on earth had become and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time
What will be the signs of a pending judgement?
The rise of Nations in uproar, kingdoms fall v6
More wars in the 20th century than all the others put together. In the last four years a rise in the nations fighting against each other: Particular a rise of an ancient culture revealing to us an extreme form of Islam.
We have had the embassy bombings around the world, Sept11th 2001, the Bali nightclub bombing, the Madrid train bombing and now London all have been attacks on the western civilisation.
Countless Christians and those who convert to Christianity in other parts of the world are facing persecution and death in places like Indonesia, Africa, China, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Vietnam, Nigeria, Egypt, Jordan, Philippines I could go on and even put names to the people and now we see its our turn!
Jesus said these are all signs of the end of an age
Matt.24: 6 -9, you will hear of wars and rumours of wars v7 Nation will rise up against nation,v9 you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
It seems reasonable to ask Muslims what sort of remark does this mean found in the Koran in the modern world?
Sura No8. God is quoted I shall cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, strike off the tips of their fingers. This punishment comes to them for defying God and his apostle.
V2—3 The rise of radical cosmic phenomena
The so-called natural disasters as the famines, hurricanes, pestilence, disease, earthquakes and especially the horror of the Tsunami just this Christmas. These again are signs of Judgement drawing closer. These disasters are getting bigger and more frequent because judgement is coming.
Matt.24: 7-8 Jesus said, there will be famines and earthquakes in various places all these are the beginning of birth pains.
Rom 8.19-22 Creation groaning itself awaiting its liberation
2) This nation needs to be still and return to God v8-10
On Thursday before the tragedy I was praying that the Lord would speak to this nation that something would happen to turn this nation
Of course we have known that this terrorist attack has been a ticking bomb waiting to happen and we must understand that God is not the author of evil, but at times God permits evil to take place to bring about a greater good of His Glory.
Remembrance of v4, v5 God presence (2King19: 14.King Hezekiah prays)
There was a time that Judah fought of the threat of the Assyrian empire because they were close to God, but eventually there downfall came as Jerusalem fell to Babylon because they had forgotten to make God there fortress.
As a nation we have had times of Gods blessing upon us as a nation when we have trusted in God (King George called this nation in prayer during the world war) prayer has taken us through tough times. We need to return to God as a nation.
Prv14: 34 Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Psalm 33: 12. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.
Being still (fast moving of London fast moving world )
When any type of disaster strikes it always gives time for people especially those who have survived and effected to reflect upon the brevity of life.
I heard accounts of people who were praying to God in the tubes. I heard accounts of the utter silence that came over the people as they pondered the situation. One reporter called it a hushed stillness.
This psalm prophetic oracle of the end times is calling us to reflect upon the works of God it is He v8 who ultimately will bring the cessation of all wars v9 and His exaltation among the nations and the whole earth v10. These terrible tragedies are a call for us as a nation to “Be still, and know that He is God.”
C.S Lewis who said that "God whisper to us in our pleasures talks to us in our conscience and shouts to us in our suffering, its God’s megaphone to a dying world."…
Without God there is a huge vacuum needing to be filled, this vacuum is really extenuated during tragedy, sadly many will blame a God they don’t even know because they will not be still and come to know Him.
3) God’s people can be assured of Gods help. V1, v7, v11.
God’s people are not amune from tragedy, but what this psalm is saying that although nations roar although the earth gives way God is with us through it all. We see here the psalmist presenting God in a personal intimate and knowable way, that our God is a real strong fortress look at the words used
V1 God is our refuge v7, 11 The Lord Almighty is with us v10 be still and know that I am God. V11 the God of Jacob is our fortress.
For the Christian God is our refuge.
During the tragedy on Thursday many of the Church’s near to the effected tube stations were opened up and used as places of refuge. These Churches were really reflecting the character of God in being a refuge a place of safety
There was an article in the National geographic magazine about a forest fire in Yellowstone national park, rangers found a bird literally petrified in ashes at a base of a tree. As the ranger touched the petrefied bird underneath her wings were two safe chicks. She had become a refugee for her chicks.
Source ozsermonillustrations.com adapted from getfed.com
A refuge is a place of help where those who were injured or shocked could receive help contacting loved ones, could be helped practically with first aid and given drinks as people sat around in shock, many had searching questions and could be counseled emotionally and spiritually.
A place of strength
A place of refuge where they regained strength to face up to the tragedy a place where they were cared for and so regained strength in a time of trouble.
We need to remember the privilege we have as Christians that God is our refuge and is always with us to give us the strength to continue and the help in the midst of the troubles we are going through.
And as Christians in trying times upon our nation we must be prepared to make others aware of this great refuge that we have that is available to all who will believe.
To the question where is God?
For the Christian He is with us v7. Brothers and sisters we do not walk alone this earthly pilgrimage is not spent alone. The LORD (Yahweh) Almighty is with us. He is Immanuel, God with us, this is why he is ever present v1 with his people.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son and will call him Immanuel.
Where was God?
Through times of great trouble, we need to remember that Immanuel himself has experienced our human weaknesses and yet was without sin, He knows what it is to suffer at the hands of evil men, who hate and who murder.
Jesus knows and sympathizes with suffering, He died upon a cruel Roman cross. He suffered beyond our comprehension he bore our judgement and our sin in his body so that we could be with him.
For the Christian God is our fortress v7, 11
In the wake of the huge terrorist attacks in America 2001 huge plans were implemented by this nation in preparing for such an attack on our shores. Security levels were set up, MI5 and anti terrorist branches were in full swing set out to destroy the menace of terrorism. This Small Island seemed an impregnable fortress. All human fortresses are impregnable and will ultimately fall. V6 v8.
God has the V10 Ultimate victory is certain and God will not fail to rescue those who love him no matter what horrific situation they find themselves in. He is our fortress!
