Our God is our Mighty Fortress

What challenges are you facing right now? 

What challenges is your family facing? 
What challenges are at your work? 
What challenges are at your church?

The Psalmist wrote Ps 46 describing real life problems that he and his community were facing with some very descriptive words and phrases. Grab your Bible and read Ps 46.
"Earth giving way."     "Mountains falling into the sea."     "Waters roaring and foaming." 
"Mountains quaking."     "Nations in an uproar."     "Kingdoms fall."     "The earth melts."

These words clearly describe overwhelming problems, causing fear to gush through everyone's veins.

The Psalmist along with his community cried out to God with even better descriptive words and titles about who God is...
"God is our refuge and strength."
"The Lord Almighty... our fortress."
"Ever-present."
"With us."

God's instructions for us...
"Come and behold."
"Cease striving."
"Be still."
"Know God."

Matthew instructs us,  “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace." Matt 6:6 (Msg)

Take a moment right now and live these Biblical instructions out.

Take a moment every day or a few times throughout the day and live out these Biblical instructions.
Can you see how Martin Luther could not help write one of the most famous hymns based on this Psalm?

Worship A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Psalm 46 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 what the Lord has done, 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 He says, “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.

Worship A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (listen here)

At Southtown, we are facing a few family challenges.

We are in need of a Custodian. Until we hire someone, we need everyone's help to keeping our building looking great.

We are also facing a Financial Challenge. We need God to work through each of us as we give joyfully and generously. For God loves to bless individuals, families and church families. This Sunday we are going to pray the Risky Prayer, "Hey Dad, We Need Your Generosity."

See you Sunday.

God is our Fortress, Strength and Warrior.

Being in the presence of our Mighty God and Warrior God together,
Pastor Chris