Enough Already!

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Jeremy Spence

First Baptist Church St. Paris

Summer of Psalms • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago • Presented 4 years ago • 42:51

Psalm 46:title–11

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It is the turn of the century, 16th century that is. the 1500s . A time of upheaval in the world. There was conflict in many different arenas of life, not excluding in Christianity.

Where is God?

A foundational question our world is asking. Maybe not in these clear cut words, but they are asking none the less.

It is this question along with the question, “Who is God?” all of Scripture answers.

In OT=Tabernacle/Temple.

In much of the OT, especially after the Exodus it is the Tabernacle and Temple which served as the primary answer to the question, “where is God?”

God is present.

God is not absent. We may not always “feel” His presence but that does not mean he is not around.

We have help in trouble.

But we must realize we are in trouble. Yes, we must proclaim the truth that God is our refuge but if we do not realize we need refuge then it doesn’t matter.

Fear is not our master.

This does not mean we are not at times “afraid”. Fear is a natural and common way we are created. Fear can be a great thing. The question on fear should be:

Where does fear send me?

If the fear of the trouble you are in sends you to God is that bad? NO! In fact, because of fear you went to the only place of safety and security there truly is.

We don’t fear if creation is undone.

This is verses 2 and 3. If we are able to see the world falling a part, and the natural human response will be a little fear, and we realize as part of our history God is the creator of all things then it doesn’t matter in one sense. This is why a believe that God created. That all things begin with God is foundational to Scripture.

God is the beginning of all.

This is why we have Genesis. In the OT world the thought was there were many gods who fought one another. This is the place the nation of Israel came out of. Scripture

We do not fear if wars come.

Not only can the world around us fall apart and we have a refuge but nations can wage war and fight us and others and we still have a refuge. I think, tucked in these words, is also a reminder we do not need to worry about winning at all cost in this world. We do not have to fight every battle which comes our way.

History is God’s story.

Whether it be of nations, organizations or individuals. Your history, my history, is part of God’s story in this world because he is not absent. It is not the full story but just a small part.

This is why we have Psalm 136. It retells Israel’s story, history, revealing who God is and what he has done. This is why time and time within the Psalms we read phrases like “one generation to another”, “all generations”, etc.

Enough already, know me!

This is what God says as he breaks forth in the Psalm. We read in most translations, and it isn’t “wrong” nor bad” the words be still and know. We need to do this. In our world of activity and constant noise we must quiet ourselves to know the truth of Scripture. However, those words can make it seem like God is more gentle than the Sons of Korah wanted to depict, IMO. God breaks in not with just a quiet plea but a voice that says, “Stop it!”

In the NT=Jesus!

This is and was a marked different. Jesus is God. He is the I AM of the OT and he is our dwelling place. This is why in John 16 he could say, “In this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Know Jesus!

He is the God of Psalm 46, he is the refuge. Grow in him.

Trust Jesus!

He is the one who says to the storm, stop it, and the storm obeys. He is the Prince of Peace today and one day he will stop all wars.

Love Jesus!

In doing this you will be able, because Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit—His Presence; to love others.

Song Luther wrote when he was in getting ready to be arrested by the Roman Catholic Church in 1521.

Logos Digital Hymnal A Mighty Fortress is Our God

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Author: Martin Luther

Composer: Martin Luther

Tune: Ein’ Feste Burg (Luther)

Scripture: Ps 46

1 A mighty fortress is our God,

A bulwark never failing;

Our helper He amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing;

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and pow’r are great,

And armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not His equal

2 Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side,

The Man of God’s own choosing;

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth, His name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

3 And tho’ this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph thro’ us;

The prince of Darkness grim,

We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo, his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

4 That word above all earthly pow’rs,

No thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours Thro’

Him who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also;

The body they may kill:

God’s truth abideth still,

His kingdom is forever.

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