Saftey In Times Of Uncertaintany- A Response To The Las Vegas Shootings

“Safety in times of uncertainty”

A response to the shootings in Las Vegas

October 8, 2017

Psalm 46

Last week Patti and I were blessed to spend a week surrounded by God’s majesty at a wonderful place called the Wind River Ranch in Estes Park Colorado

Over the course of 5 days we experienced a peace

And an easiness that was much needed

Everything about the Ranch

From the staff

To the horses

The scenery and the food

And even the gentle wind on the wind chimes that soothed our souls was refreshing

After several days of awesomeness

Being surrounded by people who love God and are allowing themselves to be used by God

People who despite differences in theology

Differences in where they call home and how they experience life

And how they do ministry

People with the true love of Christ living in them

We as well as the pother couples

Felt at home

Safe

At peace and loved

Then a few days later

Last Sunday evening

Something happened that changed those feelings

Evil rose up

And for a moment

Evil Caused Fear

Evil Caused Anxiety

Evil made us feel vulnerable

Unsafe

And Evil caused so many more emotions to well up inside of us

And I have no doubt

The same and many other emotions welled up inside of each of you

The evil act of one person

Caused

Fear to grip our nation

This act caused

A feeling that no place is safe

This act caused a feeling of anger

This act caused Uncertainty

This act caused us, if just for a moment to feel unsafe in this world

It is safety and uncertainty that I want to address today

I am sure that all of you have noticed the 59 empty chairs that are here today

They are here for a visual of just how the act of one person

A person so filled with evil

Changed the lives of so many

59 people are no longer drawing breath on this

Over 500 others have injuries and some may yet die

Thousands who were there in Los Vegas on Sunday night will live forever with the memories

And the nightmares

And millions

All over the world

Patti and I and each of you included

Will look at safety and certainty

In a different light

Look at these empty chairs as I preach today’s message

Place yourselves in the seats and the shoes of those who could be filling them

Place your selves in the shoes of those who will miss and grieve those who are no longer with us

Today

Will we deal with safety and uncertainty

Psalm 46 came up several times I n our sessions last week at the ranch

Renau and Brook Van Der Rite from Mosaic Church in Orlando Florida

Helped each Pastor and wife at our retreat take a new and fresh look at

Our own relationship with Jesus

And also at what we are called to do

And how we have been blessed by God

To be allowed to play a part in our own salvation and our own growth in God

God saved us by his Grace

Though the faith that he –Gave--- us

Today it is my desire to remember that ---Grace

Today it is my desire to remember those that have been lost

But more importantly today it is my desire to remember

What Jesus gave to redeem us

The safety and certainty that he died to give us

Please open your bibles to Psalm 46

And read with me the entire Psalm then we will take a deeper look

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble.

2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come

and the mountains crumble into the sea.

3 Let the oceans roar and foam.

Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude

4 A river brings joy to the city of our God,

the sacred home of the Most High.

5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.

From the very break of day, God will protect it.

6 The nations are in chaos,

and their kingdoms crumble!

God’s voice thunders,

and the earth melts!

7 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;

the God of Israel[b] is our fortress. Interlude

8 Come, see the glorious works of the LORD:

See how he brings destruction upon the world.

9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.

He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;

he burns the shields with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!

I will be honored by every nation.

I will be honored throughout the world.”

11 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;

the God of Israel is our fortress.