He Is Near

Psalm 46

  The LORD is with us In all of life. Sometimes life brings us into distress, into dire straits. If  we are a follower of Jesus there are blessings even in those times. In fact those blessings become more meaningful th,n the every day blessings.

Refuge= shelter from rain or storm

Strength= physical personal might, social and political

Very= exceedingly

Trouble= straits, distress, vexer, rival wife-Jacob Genesis 30

Not our armies, not our fortresses, not our SDS, not our military intel.

Not in our ingenuity, our strategy, our resources...

1.The LORD God is our refuge.

We look at rain to represent trouble. Jesus spoke of the rain and the sun on the good and the bad. If we had only sun would have a desert. If rain only (but people don't wish for that).

We need shelter from the rain and the storm. We can watch it and feel secure. Many natural refuges in Israel. Cleft of the Rock.

I watched the video clips on my iPad this morning of the two tornados which hit Brooklyn and Queens last evening. At the end of the one near Canarsie they were scampering for shelter. It can be the difference between life and death in a storm.

The dark clouds can make us feel bad, sorrow is like that as is depression.

Christ covers us:

With His Presence.  I will be With you.  Psalm 23, Matthew 28.20

With His Peace.  Peace I leave with you My peace I give you. John 14.7 

With His Love. Compassion, closeness, touch. Greater Love has no one... 13

2.The LORD God is our strength.

So often people ask,  "How are they going on?" obits- 9 year old boy, Virginia, cancer; 37 year old pastor, car accident in Michigan.

He gives us physical strength. The overall health of people who pray regularly studies have shown. Praying connects us with God's Throne and eternity.

He brings us special gifts. The praying mantis on the door when we left to go upstate last week.

His Word is reassuring and strengthening. I read I Thessalonians 4.13-18 this Wednesday just before my Dad's burial.

Sometimes He brings that strength through His people. Let us always be aware of the pain and difficulties others are going through.

3.The LORD God is a very present help.

Exceedingly, more than enough! He is with us in ways we cannot imagine until we experience them.

He comes to us when we are in distress like no other can.

His Word is wonderful. So many fall short!D

He is more present than the trouble itself! I've been overflowing with Thanksgiving this past week because of Jesus, His Word, His people, all coming through in His Presence.

Earthquake, not heart quake.

He is faithful to all His Promises! (Psalm 145.13)

One of those promises is our blessed hope! John 14.1-3

Thanksgiving 1973, first one upstate

Worked in the Giant Market, at the foot  of the hill road leading up to my parents' new home. They invited LIers to come. Some stopped in the store on their way up. The celebration had begun. I had to be at work. I always enjoyed working, but my heart was up on that hill where my family was gathering. That emotion returned this past week, only now it is heaven! The promises of God for us this morning are more precious than we can imagine!