WEBVTT

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 Psalm 46, if you're looking for the text, you can find it in the Bible in front of you,

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 but you can also find it on the back of your bulletin. So that might be the easiest way to look

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! At some point in the service, toward the end of the service, we're actually going to read together

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 the last stanza of this Psalm, beginning in verse 8. So just kind of have that ready and we'll do

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 that in a little bit. So how do you respond when trouble comes? If it hasn't visited you recently,

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 it will soon. My oldest son's wife was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had to have surgery a

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 couple weeks ago. We're grateful that things are going well there, but that was a trouble.

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 Last week or so, a week and a half ago, a float hung up on an ejector pump in my home and a toilet

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 flapper valve decided to hang up at the same time and sewer water flowed into our finished basement

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 for hours without anyone noticing and cleanup continues. I can hardly wait to see what will

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 come this coming week. So how are you doing? See, when the earthquakes of life in various forms come

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 crashing in on your world, what do you do? What will you think? What will you pray? How will you act?

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 I think maybe this Psalm provides some exceptional counsel that if followed can give us a surprising

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 stability as our world slides into chaos. Now, if you have some familiarity with church history,

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 you know the name Martin Luther. This Psalm, Psalm 46, was actually Luther's favorite.

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 And with all of the things that were encountered in his life, he spent a good deal of time in this text.

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 During some of the dark and dangerous days of the Reformation,

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 Luther became discouraged and depressed. When that occurred, he turned to his friend Philip Melanchthon.

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 He said, come Philip, let's sing the 46th Psalm. Well, we know that song. In fact, we sang that song

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 last Sunday. The mighty fortress is our God. I'll review actually Luther's words at the end of this

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 message just to kind of get a context of that. One writer, one scholar wrote this,

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 few Psalms breathe the spirit of sturdy confidence in the Lord in the midst of very real danger

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 as strongly as does this one. Having taken a closer look at Psalm 46 this last couple of weeks,

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 I would heartily agree with that. Psalm 46 actually contains three stanzas, one through three, verses

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 one through three. In the first stanza, four to seven, the second, and eight to 11 is the third

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 stanza. The second and third stanzas, if you look at that, actually conclude with the same line.

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 The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. And the end of each of the three

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 stanzas is a word that we don't use today, really, probably. It's the word selah, or selah, depends on

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 how you pronounce it. I doubt that anyone knows for certain what that term means. But there are two

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 strong possibilities. One is that it's a musical directive of some sort, whether it's instruments or

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 certain things like that. The second is actually a call to consider, to ponder. So we're going to

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 use that possibility today as we work our way through this psalm. So here's the first stanza.

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 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear,

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 though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters

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 roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah. I think what that is telling us

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 is that when troubles surround us, God is our constant shelter and he is our sufficient strength.

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 I'm going to examine some of those terms a little bit to help us to figure this out a little bit more

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 carefully. A refuge is a place where we would go to hide for protection. God alone is that refuge,

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 according to the psalm. Notice what I said. He doesn't provide the shelter. He is the shelter.

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 Nothing in this universe compares to him. He is our refuge. He is also our strength. What's needed

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 when we're alone, weak, outnumbered, and overwhelmed? Well, we need the source of strength by which we can

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 face the calamities of life. The psalmist declares that he is our strength. He is also our very present

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 help. When at any moment we are unexpectedly overcome, he's always there with us. I don't know

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 that that was my first thought when I was standing in water, but he's always there.

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 He is our right now refuge and strength and help. Very present help means God is immediately present

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 and instantly available to his people. Trouble? Trouble describes a very tight place. It's a place like

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 where you're cornered. It's the proverbial between a rock and a hard place. That's what he's saying.

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 Have you been there? My guess is you have. When you are there, and we are sometimes,

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 he is too. He is with us. So what is the expected response for us when we're in these troubles?

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 Well, often our ability to know and trust God, I think God uses that sometimes to actually enhance

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 the recognition of his presence when we're going through struggles and pressures of life.

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 If it's true that God is always present and that he is our refuge and strength, it should also be

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 true that we ought always to face the terrors of life without fear. Now that may not be personally

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 true, but it should be if we believe the message of the psalm. So what are some of those troubles?

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 Again, in the first stanza, he gives us a sample of those. And basically it's saying to us, whatever

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 happens, look at what's happening here. The mountains are trembling and moving and being cast into the

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 sea. That sounds like a trouble. The waters are roaring and foaming and swelling and we're shaking

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 and drowning in it all, but we need not fear. Does that make sense to you? When all those things are going

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 on? Well, perhaps what we need to do is to take a little Selah moment here to ponder. You see, because of

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 who God is, we can rest in him without fear, regardless of what's going on around us.

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 If you want another encouraging word about that to ponder in the midst of the world that's falling apart

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 around you, consider these words from Psalm 91 verses 14 to 16. These are wonderful words.

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 Actually, God is speaking. He says,

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 because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him. I will protect him because he knows my name.

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 When he calls to me, I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and honor him.

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 With long life, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

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 I've grabbed hold of that passage many times. You see, when trouble surrounds us, God is our constant

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 shelter and strength. Let's look at stanza number two.

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 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

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 God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns.

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 The nations rage. The nations rage. The kingdoms totter. He utters his voice. The earth melts.

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 The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah.

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 So, when trouble surrounds us, God is our constant shelter and strength. But when our world is in chaos,

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 God is present and he's in complete control.

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 Let that sink in a bit. He's in complete control. You see, where God is, there's stability.

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 The psalmist uses familiar scenes to describe this. Whatever the calamity on the outside happens to be,

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 the psalmist pictures a quiet stream, the stream of Siloam in the city of Jerusalem.

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 The holy habitation, which would probably be the temple mount, as a picture of safety and tranquility.

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 This, however, seems to go far beyond the idea of an earthly city in Jerusalem,

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 with reference to safety and security of God's people throughout the ages,

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 culminating in the new Jerusalem.

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 That was the city that Abraham looked for.

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 It's the city described in Revelation 22.

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 From now, throughout eternity, God provides stability and peace.

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 Now, and later.

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 So, where God chooses, he also brings judgment.

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 Verse 6.

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 A good study would be to compare verse 6, actually, with Psalm 2.

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 Where the nations rage against him, but it says that

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 he will break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

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 See, when the Lord speaks, the enemy folds.

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 Someone wrote, when the Lord speaks, all nature stands aghast at the sound of his voice.

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 Nature does.

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 Sometimes we don't.

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 So, where God chooses, there's judgment.

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 But where is God when we're in panic?

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 Where is he?

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 Some have wondered what earthly situation occurred to prompt the accounting of God's protection here.

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 In Psalm 46.

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 It's not true that we always have a picture of what happened when the psalm was written.

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 If you'll notice, there are little psalm titles in your Bible.

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 And often those give us a clue as to what took place in the psalm.

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 So, this doesn't.

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 It tells us if we're a choir master and so forth.

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 But it doesn't tell us the historical place where this happened.

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 There are a couple of possibilities here.

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 One is found in 2 Chronicles chapter 20.

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 It would be a good one to read.

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 We're not going to look at that one today.

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 But it would be a good one to read.

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 But that might have been what prompted this psalm.

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 It involved King Jehoshaphat at the time.

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 But another one, and this is the one I think we're going to look at today.

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 It actually happened during the reign of Hezekiah.

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 And that record of that is found in 2 Kings chapters 18 and 19.

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 It's also found two other places in the Bible.

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 2 Chronicles 32 and Isaiah 36 and 37.

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 Either of those, again, is a possibility.

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 But we'll look at that second one today.

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 It sort of went like this.

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 Sennacherib was the king of Assyria at the time.

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 Assyria was a ruthless nation.

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 A hated nation by the Jews.

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 Terrible folks.

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 What they did.

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 Awful things.

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 Sennacherib had come in and attacked the northern kingdom of Israel.

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 And took them all captive.

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 Basically the northern kingdom ceased to exist at that point.

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 And now he's moving toward the southern kingdom.

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 And so he goes and he's going to lay siege against the city of Jerusalem.

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 And when all this is happening, you can imagine the fright of the people.

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 Because the Assyrian empire was huge and powerful.

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 And was running over countries one after another.

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 Before attacking Jerusalem, the king actually sent a field commander.

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 It's called the Rabshakeh in the Bible.

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 He comes there and he brings a letter to Hezekiah.

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 And then he decides he's going to stand.

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 And as people are kind of lined up around the walls of Jerusalem,

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 he begins to speak to them in Hebrew.

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 Which really got their attention.

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 And he basically is telling them,

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 Listen, you need to surrender.

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 Because if you surrender, your life will be so much better.

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 I mean, all the good things will happen to you if you surrender.

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 Because you can live.

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 But if you don't surrender, you're going to die.

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 That was his message, essentially.

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 And so Hezekiah took the letter that he had received.

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 And he put the letter in front of the Lord.

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 And he begins to pray.

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 And as he's praying, he's pleading with God.

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 And he concludes his prayer with these words in 2 Kings 19.

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 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands.

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 And have cast their gods into the fire.

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 For they were not gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone.

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 Therefore, they were destroyed.

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 So now, O Lord, our God, save us, please, from His hand.

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 That all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.

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 That was his prayer.

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 Now, the Israelites were outnumbered.

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 And they had meager weapons compared to the Assyrians.

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 But Hezekiah was calling upon the people to trust the Lord to deliver them.

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 Do you know what happened?

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 The last couple of verses of 2 Kings 19, verses 38 and 39, say this.

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 That night, the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians.

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 And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.

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 Then Sennacherib, king of Assyria, departed, went home.

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 Well, these people were asleep.

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 Can you imagine trying to sleep when an army is around your city and it's going to destroy you?

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 And you think, when it comes dawn, it's going to be there.

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 We're going to die.

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 And they get up in the next morning and the whole bunch of people, 185,000 soldiers, dead.

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 It's time to take a Selah moment here.

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 Verses 4 and 5 of the text said,

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 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

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 God is in the midst of her.

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 She shall not be moved.

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 God will help her when morning dawns.

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 The Lord of hosts is with us.

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 You see, since the Lord is with us and in complete control, do we need to be afraid?

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 Do we need to doubt?

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 There are many threats and wars on the outside, but we can be glad and stand firm in Him.

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 We should ponder that for a bit.

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 So we've learned something about when trouble surrounds us, God is our constant shelter, sufficient strength.

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 And when our world is in chaos, God is present and in complete control.

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 Now we're going to learn something else in stanza number three.

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 So look at it on your bulletin.

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 It starts with,

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 Come behold the works of the Lord.

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 We're going to read that together.

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 All right?

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 Let's see how we do in congregational reading.

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 Let's see what happens.

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 Ready?

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 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how He has brought desolations on the earth.

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 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.

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 He breaks the bow and shatters the spear.

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 He burns the chariots with fire.

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 Be still and know that I am God.

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 I will be exalted among the nations.

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 I will be exalted in the earth.

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 The Lord of hosts is with us.

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 The God of Jacob is our fortress.

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 Selah.

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 Well done.

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 So the third idea here is that when we're running in circles,

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 trying to win the battles on our own,

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 God exalts Himself and He commands our attention.

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 So let's consider His works for a bit.

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 Again, if this was a reference to Hezekiah,

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 consider the scene after that 185,000 enemy soldiers' army

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 were killed by the angel of the Lord.

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 How that battlefield must have appeared.

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 The enemy was completely destroyed,

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 and the armies of Israel didn't even pick up their swords.

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 But they saw the aftermath of what God had done.

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 I think that probably qualifies as a desolation.

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 Verse 8.

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 And then consider His ways in verse 9.

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 Martin Luther wrote this in his hymn.

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 Did we in our own strength confide?

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 Our striving would be losing.

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 We're not the right man on our side,

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 the man of God's own choosing.

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 Just ask who that may be?

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 Christ Jesus.

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 It is He, Lord Sabaoth, His name,

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 from age to age the same,

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 and He must win the battle.

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 Luther got it right.

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 And He will win the battle.

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 So what are we supposed to do?

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 Let's consider His will in verses 10 and 11.

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 Note that in verse 10,

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 it's no longer the psalmist speaking,

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 but it's the Lord Himself speaking.

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 Be still and know that I am God.

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 Now, be still seems to be a strange command

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 when we're in the middle of an impossible situation.

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 Our normal response when trouble comes

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 is to run in circles,

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 not sure what to do.

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 Either we swing at everything and hit nothing,

00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.940
 or we try to run and hide.

00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:04.779
 But the command here is to be still

00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:06.639
 and know that I am God.

00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.519
 You might find this surprising,

00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:11.559
 but this is not an instruction for us

00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:13.519
 to lead a contemplation,

00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.740
 contemplative, get it right,

00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:17.339
 contemplative life.

00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:19.899
 However important that might be.

00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:23.919
 Be still and know that I am God

00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:26.019
 means to surrender,

00:20:26.899 --> 00:20:29.819
 to lay our arms down,

00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:33.299
 to know that He is the one

00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:35.279
 and only victorious God.

00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.480
 You probably know this.

00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:41.279
 There is such a thing as a negotiated peace.

00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.079
 Two groups get together,

00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.039
 they make a deal,

00:20:44.199 --> 00:20:44.959
 they sign it,

00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:46.159
 and usually don't keep it.

00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:48.840
 But that's a negotiated peace,

00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:49.279
 all right?

00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:51.940
 But then there is an imposed peace

00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:57.060
 where one imposes their will on the other.

00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:58.180
 There's peace.

00:20:58.500 --> 00:21:00.660
 There's also a crushed group of people

00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:02.240
 or nation or individual.

00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:06.819
 Well, this is an imposed peace.

00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:11.120
 God imposes His will on the enemy around us.

00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.259
 And when He does,

00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:15.779
 we drop our weapons

00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:18.339
 as we surrender to His will and purpose.

00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:22.680
 I was thinking about this this week.

00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:24.259
 Do you remember when Jesus

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:26.759
 was in the Garden of Gethsemane

00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:30.019
 and the mob showed up?

00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.879
 The disciples had been sleeping.

00:21:33.619 --> 00:21:34.960
 Jesus told them to wake up.

00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.299
 The mob gets there.

00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.799
 And what does Peter do?

00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.279
 Pulls out his sword

00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:41.460
 and goes swinging

00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:44.019
 and he hits Malchus,

00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:45.879
 one of the soldiers.

00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:47.660
 He whacks off his ear.

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.859
 I doubt if he was aiming for the ear,

00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:51.220
 but he got the ear.

00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.440
 And what did Jesus do?

00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.519
 Did He call the rest of them

00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.339
 to get out their swords?

00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.380
 No.

00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.720
 In fact, He said,

00:21:58.880 --> 00:22:01.140
 put your sword back in its place.

00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.440
 He heals the guy's ear.

00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:07.539
 And there the disciples are.

00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.880
 It was be still

00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:11.480
 and know that I'm God.

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.279
 Surrender your weapons.

00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:16.559
 Watch what's going to happen

00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:18.259
 because this is my will.

00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:21.279
 See, when we're overwhelmed

00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.279
 with difficulty,

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.299
 instead of running,

00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.960
 we need to sometimes wait.

00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.519
 Instead of panicking,

00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:27.559
 we need to be still

00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:29.099
 in order to gain our perspective,

00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.680
 trusting the one

00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:32.759
 who has everything under control.

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.240
 To be still and know

00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:34.920
 that He is God

00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.960
 is to take the time

00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:38.180
 to meditate on who He is.

00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:40.019
 To know that God says

00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:41.339
 to the psalmist and to us,

00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:42.920
 I will be exalted

00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:44.140
 among the nations.

00:22:44.619 --> 00:22:46.059
 I will be exalted

00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:47.220
 in the earth.

00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:49.480
 He is the Lord Almighty.

00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.920
 He wins.

00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.480
 And if we belong to Him,

00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:54.039
 we win too.

00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.860
 We need to know

00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:58.079
 and remember that.

00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.819
 So what does it mean

00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.860
 to know God?

00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:04.180
 What does the text mean

00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.720
 when it says

00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.720
 the Lord of hosts?

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:08.059
 Why is God referred to

00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:09.279
 as the God of Jacob?

00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:12.000
 Take some time to think

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.160
 about some of those questions.

00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.380
 I'm not going to deal with them,

00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.660
 but just think about that

00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:16.380
 a little bit.

00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:17.620
 Actually, I will speak

00:23:17.620 --> 00:23:18.920
 just a little bit about Jacob

00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:19.800
 just for a second.

00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:23.180
 Have you ever wondered

00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:24.740
 why God identifies Himself

00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.480
 with Jacob?

00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:27.660
 He was a third

00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:30.020
 of three patriarchs

00:23:30.020 --> 00:23:30.940
 that are often mentioned.

00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.500
 The God of Abraham,

00:23:32.780 --> 00:23:33.560
 the God of Isaac,

00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.440
 the God of Jacob.

00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:36.620
 Frankly,

00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:38.060
 I would suggest to you

00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:39.340
 that Jacob was

00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:40.360
 the least of the three.

00:23:41.360 --> 00:23:41.660
 I mean,

00:23:41.760 --> 00:23:43.080
 he was more of a schemer

00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:44.220
 than a man of faith.

00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.259
 Read a story.

00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:51.440
 It took him a whole life

00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.940
 to learn to trust God,

00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:54.279
 but God claims to be

00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.220
 the God of Jacob

00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.539
 just as much

00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:58.039
 as the God of Abraham

00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.039
 and Isaac

00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:01.539
 and all the rest of us

00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:02.980
 who trust in His holy name.

00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:03.839
 To me,

00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.860
 it's a great encouragement

00:24:04.860 --> 00:24:06.940
 that he actually said,

00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:08.079
 I'm the God of Jacob.

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.259
 Jacob,

00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:10.259
 I'm very grateful

00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:11.839
 when I think about that,

00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.779
 when I hear it,

00:24:12.939 --> 00:24:14.240
 I'm the God of Les Martin.

00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:18.740
 Why?

00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:21.519
 Why would you do that, God?

00:24:22.439 --> 00:24:23.240
 But He is.

00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.419
 And for those of us

00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:26.220
 who belong to Him,

00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.199
 He's our God.

00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.539
 And He claims us.

00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:33.859
 It's time for us

00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:35.000
 to take a third

00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:36.579
 Selah moment here

00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.639
 to ponder.

00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.379
 This little account

00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:39.960
 comes from

00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:41.299
 James Montgomery Boyce.

00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.779
 He was a pastor

00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.779
 in Philadelphia

00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.859
 for many, many years,

00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:45.639
 now in heaven

00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.200
 with the Lord.

00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:47.779
 He wrote this.

00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:50.039
 The story goes

00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:51.339
 that a newspaper

00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.539
 printed the obituary

00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:55.960
 of an American author,

00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.339
 Mark Twain.

00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:59.099
 But,

00:25:00.179 --> 00:25:01.179
 Twain wasn't dead.

00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.519
 And when he was

00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.119
 told about it,

00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:05.059
 he supposedly said,

00:25:05.459 --> 00:25:06.799
 the reports of my death

00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:08.159
 are greatly exaggerated.

00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.939
 The voice goes on,

00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.539
 for years,

00:25:12.699 --> 00:25:13.720
 I have heard reports

00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.359
 that the church

00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.019
 is dying.

00:25:15.699 --> 00:25:16.059
 Christianity

00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:17.079
 is shrinking.

00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.639
 Belief in God

00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.579
 and of the Bible

00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.480
 and the Bible

00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.419
 as the word of God

00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:22.000
 is over.

00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:23.679
 The reports

00:25:23.679 --> 00:25:24.220
 of the death

00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.839
 of the church

00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:26.759
 are greatly exaggerated.

00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:29.199
 The author of Hebrews

00:25:29.199 --> 00:25:30.039
 was comparing

00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:31.339
 the scene at Sinai

00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:32.899
 as God was giving

00:25:32.899 --> 00:25:34.279
 Moses the law

00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.740
 with the scene

00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.339
 in heaven

00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.579
 where the saints

00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.299
 are in the presence

00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.799
 of God.

00:25:38.919 --> 00:25:39.819
 The author concludes,

00:25:40.419 --> 00:25:40.679
 Therefore,

00:25:40.939 --> 00:25:41.959
 let us be grateful

00:25:41.959 --> 00:25:42.699
 for receiving

00:25:42.699 --> 00:25:43.359
 a kingdom

00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:45.379
 that cannot be shaken

00:25:45.379 --> 00:25:46.919
 and thus let us

00:25:46.919 --> 00:25:47.559
 offer to God

00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.619
 acceptable worship

00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.759
 with reverence

00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.299
 and awe

00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.919
 for our God

00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:53.740
 is a consuming fire.

00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:56.179
 Belonging to God

00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:57.820
 through Jesus Christ

00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:59.360
 under his rule

00:25:59.360 --> 00:26:00.120
 and reign

00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:01.920
 we are in

00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:03.460
 an unshakable

00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.580
 position.

00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.360
 Psalm 103

00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:08.360
 verse 19

00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:09.980
 The Lord has established

00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.720
 his throne

00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.299
 in the king

00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:12.039
 and sorry

00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.259
 the Lord has established

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.799
 his throne

00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.700
 in the heavens

00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.940
 his kingdoms

00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.200
 rule over all.

00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.640
 Psalm 46

00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.259
 6

00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.160
 our text

00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:21.940
 The nations rage

00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:23.640
 the kingdoms totter

00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:25.660
 he utters his voice

00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:28.080
 the earth melts.

00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.400
 Neither God

00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:31.820
 nor his reign

00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.980
 are dead

00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:34.440
 and any report

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.000
 of such

00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:37.300
 is greatly exaggerated.

00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:39.339
 We belong to the one

00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:40.539
 who rules

00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.779
 over all

00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:43.059
 forever.

00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.200
 End quote.

00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.659
 I'm going to conclude

00:26:47.659 --> 00:26:49.180
 this morning

00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.599
 with actually

00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:52.440
 reading over

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.279
 the words

00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.419
 of Luther's hymn

00:26:54.419 --> 00:26:54.419


00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:56.019
 A Mighty Fortress.

00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.539
 I think sometimes

00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.759
 when we sing songs

00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.599
 we sing them

00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:01.779
 but we don't

00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.399
 necessarily

00:27:02.399 --> 00:27:03.460
 think about

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:03.960
 the words

00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.879
 that are being said

00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:06.260
 and sometimes

00:27:06.260 --> 00:27:06.780
 that's probably

00:27:06.780 --> 00:27:07.320
 a good thing

00:27:07.320 --> 00:27:07.800
 because sometimes

00:27:07.800 --> 00:27:08.580
 the words aren't good

00:27:08.580 --> 00:27:10.100
 but most of the songs

00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:10.640
 we sing here

00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.540
 I'd say all the songs

00:27:11.540 --> 00:27:12.200
 we sing here

00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.320
 are theologically

00:27:13.320 --> 00:27:14.380
 on target.

00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.040
 I think

00:27:16.040 --> 00:27:17.280
 yeah for sure

00:27:17.280 --> 00:27:18.600
 I think this is

00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:20.460
 this is on target

00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:21.780
 by what Luther said

00:27:21.780 --> 00:27:22.800
 so I'll try to

00:27:22.800 --> 00:27:24.700
 say it in such a way

00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.440
 that the point

00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.360
 comes clear.

00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.960
 Mighty Fortress

00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:30.440
 is our God

00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.600
 a bulwark

00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.440
 never failing

00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:34.440
 our helper

00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:36.059
 he amid

00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:36.680
 the flood

00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.279
 of mortal

00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.799
 ills

00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.559
 prevailing

00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:40.320
 for still

00:27:40.320 --> 00:27:40.840
 our ancient

00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:41.420
 foe

00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:41.940
 doth work

00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.620
 to seek

00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:43.059
 to work

00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:43.820
 us woe

00:27:43.820 --> 00:27:45.259
 his craft

00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:45.759
 and power

00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.180
 are great

00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.519
 he's talking about

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:46.840
 Satan

00:27:46.840 --> 00:27:48.200
 and armed

00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.799
 with cruel

00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.240
 hate

00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.380
 on earth

00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:50.720
 is not

00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.200
 as equal

00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:53.440
 did we

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:53.940
 in our

00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.320
 strength

00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:54.900
 confide

00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:55.660
 our strength

00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:57.180
 our striving

00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:57.799
 would be

00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.620
 losing

00:27:58.620 --> 00:28:00.019
 we're not

00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.440
 the right

00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.080
 man on our

00:28:01.080 --> 00:28:01.320
 side

00:28:01.320 --> 00:28:01.700
 the man

00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.220
 of God's

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.820
 own choosing

00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:03.899
 doth ask

00:28:03.899 --> 00:28:04.319
 who that

00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:04.899
 may be

00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.519
 Christ

00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.059
 Jesus

00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:06.740
 it's he

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.500
 Lord

00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.139
 sabbath

00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:08.619
 his name

00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:09.200
 from age

00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:09.720
 to age

00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.460
 the same

00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.740
 and he

00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.439
 must win

00:28:12.439 --> 00:28:13.000
 the battle

00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:15.179
 though this

00:28:15.179 --> 00:28:15.559
 world

00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.319
 with devils

00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.720
 filled

00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.399
 should threaten

00:28:17.399 --> 00:28:17.980
 to undo

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.339
 us

00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:20.159
 we will not

00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:20.559
 fear

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:22.279
 for God

00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:22.939
 has willed

00:28:22.939 --> 00:28:23.559
 his truth

00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.079
 to triumph

00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:24.879
 through us

00:28:24.879 --> 00:28:26.379
 prince of

00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:26.799
 darkness

00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.299
 grim

00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:29.180
 we tremble

00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:29.579
 not for

00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:29.879
 him

00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:31.419
 his rage

00:28:31.419 --> 00:28:32.319
 we can

00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.839
 endure

00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:33.599
 for lo

00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.419
 his doom

00:28:34.419 --> 00:28:35.039
 is sure

00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:36.299
 one little

00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.659
 word

00:28:36.659 --> 00:28:37.279
 shall fell

00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:37.599
 him

00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:39.279
 that word

00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:40.639
 above all

00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:41.019
 earthly

00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.680
 powers

00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.700
 no thanks

00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.240
 to them

00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.740
 worthy

00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.339
 powers

00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:45.019
 abided

00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:47.759
 the spirit

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.359
 and the

00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:48.779
 gifts

00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:50.319
 are ours

00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:52.139
 through him

00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:53.379
 who with

00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:53.659
 us

00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:54.379
 sideth

00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:56.019
 let goods

00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.619
 and kindreds

00:28:56.619 --> 00:28:56.900
 go

00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.680
 this mortal

00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.079
 life

00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.700
 also

00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.900
 the body

00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.240
 they may

00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.500
 kill

00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:02.220
 God's

00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.740
 truth

00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.319
 abides

00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:03.920
 still

00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:05.000
 his

00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.819
 kingdom

00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:06.920
 is

00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:08.879
 forever

00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:10.599
 amen

00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.779
 absolutely

00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:13.319
 so when the

00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.099
 troubles come

00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:15.460
 it's time to be

00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.099
 still

00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.740
 and know that

00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.240
 he is God

00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.740
 remember

00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.619
 it's time

00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:19.500
 to be still

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.680
 as in surrender

00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.539
 not to the

00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:21.859
 enemy

00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.579
 but to the

00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:22.920
 one who

00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:24.759
 always triumphs

00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.440
 instead of

00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.460
 what are we

00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.100
 going to do

00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:28.279
 it's

00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:28.960
 Lord

00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:30.080
 you are our

00:29:30.080 --> 00:29:30.680
 strength

00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:31.680
 and our

00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.240
 shield

00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.320
 and our

00:29:33.320 --> 00:29:34.080
 fortress

00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:35.039
 and our

00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.940
 ever present

00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.539
 help

00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:38.940
 I am excited

00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.700
 to see what

00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.220
 you're going to

00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.559
 do

00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.720
 and what I'm

00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.519
 going to see

00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.400
 and what I'm

00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.160
 going to learn

00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:45.420
 as I watch

00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:46.559
 you win

00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.519
 the battle

00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:49.980
 and that works

00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.039
 even in a

00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.920
 soggy

00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:53.320
 basement

00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:58.799
 some of you

00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.099
 are going

00:29:59.099 --> 00:29:59.439
 through

00:29:59.439 --> 00:30:00.879
 unbelievable

00:30:00.879 --> 00:30:01.500
 challenges

00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.220
 and problems

00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:02.859
 and issues

00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:04.460
 they're difficult

00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.299
 they're hard

00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.460
 every day you

00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:06.919
 get up and

00:30:06.919 --> 00:30:07.339
 it's still

00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:07.740
 there

00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:09.939
 and you're

00:30:09.939 --> 00:30:10.339
 hurt

00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:13.019
 that doesn't

00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.480
 take away

00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:13.980
 from what the

00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:14.740
 text says

00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:16.599
 God is

00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:17.519
 ever present

00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.339
 he is with

00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:18.639
 us

00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:19.460
 and all those

00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:19.919
 things we've

00:30:19.919 --> 00:30:20.319
 talked about

00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:20.799
 this morning

00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.339
 are true

00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:21.919
 about him

00:30:21.919 --> 00:30:23.079
 and he's

00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.759
 always our

00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.399
 refuge and

00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:24.759
 strength

00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:26.399
 don't put

00:30:26.399 --> 00:30:26.980
 that away

00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.680
 have a

00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:28.059
 selah

00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:28.480
 moment

00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:28.819
 okay

00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.779
 ponder

00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.680
 those things

00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.500
 and you'll

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:31.940
 find that

00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.399
 though the

00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:33.240
 trials may

00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.819
 not be any

00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:34.319
 less

00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:36.220
 our hope

00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.919
 and confidence

00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:38.740
 is overflowing

00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:40.819
 let's pray

00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:44.939
 father in

00:30:44.939 --> 00:30:45.099
 heaven

00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.720
 thank you

00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.939
 for this

00:30:46.939 --> 00:30:47.740
 song

00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:51.000
 bring it

00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.519
 to mind

00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.819
 when we

00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.339
 struggle

00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:55.179
 when we

00:30:55.179 --> 00:30:55.659
 think we're

00:30:55.659 --> 00:30:56.439
 in a mess

00:30:56.439 --> 00:30:56.839
 and we're

00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.480
 the only ones

00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.000
 there and

00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.559
 nobody can

00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.000
 get us

00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.259
 out

00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.679
 help us

00:30:59.679 --> 00:31:00.119
 to remember

00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:00.599
 that you're

00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.179
 with us

00:31:01.179 --> 00:31:03.079
 when we

00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.460
 hurt

00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:03.919
 when we're

00:31:03.919 --> 00:31:04.439
 discouraged

00:31:04.439 --> 00:31:04.939
 when we

00:31:04.939 --> 00:31:05.599
 were without

00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.139
 hope

00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:07.439
 help us

00:31:07.439 --> 00:31:07.899
 to remember

00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.359
 we have

00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:08.779
 hope and

00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:09.179
 help in

00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.400
 you

00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:11.039
 and I

00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:11.500
 pray that

00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:11.799
 you would

00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.380
 bless this

00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:12.860
 congregation

00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:14.340
 with a

00:31:14.340 --> 00:31:15.240
 confidence in

00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:15.759
 you that's

00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.700
 unshakable

00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:18.240
 a heart

00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:18.940
 that's filled

00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:20.480
 with trust

00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:22.100
 and not

00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:22.980
 fear but

00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.660
 trust in

00:31:23.660 --> 00:31:25.160
 you and

00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:25.360
 that you

00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:25.840
 would bless

00:31:25.840 --> 00:31:26.220
 us and

00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:26.759
 help us

00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.860
 to walk

00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:28.400
 with you

00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:29.140
 regardless of

00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.880
 the circumstances

00:31:29.880 --> 00:31:30.799
 knowing that

00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:32.440
 you are our

00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.759
 firm foundation

00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:35.900
 thank you

00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:36.460
 that you are

00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.799
 our fortress

00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:39.100
 a mighty

00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:39.779
 fortress

00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.519
 you are

00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:42.219
 thank you

00:31:42.219 --> 00:31:43.039
 for all

00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:43.339
 that you're

00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:43.779
 doing in

00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.359
 our lives

00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:45.219
 thank you

00:31:45.219 --> 00:31:45.639
 for our

00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.399
 time together

00:31:46.399 --> 00:31:47.639
 as we sing

00:31:47.639 --> 00:31:48.199
 our closing

00:31:48.199 --> 00:31:48.719
 song

00:31:48.719 --> 00:31:49.279
 may you

00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.500
 remind us

00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.139
 again

00:31:51.139 --> 00:31:53.639
 that we

00:31:53.639 --> 00:31:54.699
 are safe

00:31:54.699 --> 00:31:55.639
 in you

00:31:55.639 --> 00:31:56.879
 amen

00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:57.600
 you

00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:57.840
 you

00:31:57.840 --> 00:31:57.960
 you

00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.280
 you

00:31:58.280 --> 00:31:58.500
 you

00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:58.780
 you

00:31:58.780 --> 00:31:58.940
 you

00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.100
 you

00:31:59.100 --> 00:31:59.340
 you

00:31:59.340 --> 00:31:59.460
 you

00:31:59.460 --> 00:31:59.580
 you

00:31:59.580 --> 00:31:59.700
 you

00:31:59.700 --> 00:31:59.880
 you

00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.020
 you

00:32:00.020 --> 00:32:00.060
 you

00:32:00.060 --> 00:32:00.200
 you

00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:00.340
 you

00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:00.440
 you

00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:00.520
 you

00:32:00.520 --> 00:32:00.600
 you

00:32:00.600 --> 00:32:00.680
 you

00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:00.840
 you