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To calm our fears – (Peace on Earth!)

— Do the wars and rumors of wars strike fear to your heart? – Let God’s Word bring us comfort and strength.

Psalm 46:1-11 (ERV) To the director: A song from the Korah family. Use the *alamoth.

(*NOTES for the choir: *Alamoth means a song for women’s voices, And *Selah means a pause. …KK)

(1) God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble.  (2)  So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea.  (3)  We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. *Selah  (4)  There is a river whose streams bring happiness to God’s city, to the holy city of God Most High.  (5)  God is in that city, so it will never be destroyed. He is there to help even before sunrise.  (6)  Nations will shake with fear and kingdoms will fall when God shouts and makes the earth move.  (7)  The LORD All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah  (8)  Look at the powerful things the LORD has done. See the awesome things he has done on earth.  (9)  He stops wars all over the world. He breaks the soldiers’ bows, shatters their spears, and burns their shields.  (10)  God says, “Stop fighting and know that I am God! I am the one who defeats the nations; I am the one who controls the world.”  (11)  The LORD All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah

As we look forward to celebrating Christmas…

As we approach the season we use to celebrate our Messiah’s birth, the coming to earth of Emmanuel – God with us… Let us hold fast to the comfort and protection that God gives to each believer that is announced in this Psalm.

 

(Vs.1-3) God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble.  (2)  So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea.  (3)  We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. *Selah  

— And we PAUSE to consider the firm foundation of our strength in times of trouble, the knowledge that God has compassion, comfort, and protection for His own child, each one who has accepted His love and sacrificial buying-back of our lost souls on the cross at Calvary. This protection is for all who have repented (turned away from) their sins and chosen to follow Jesus.

 

(Vs.4-5)  There is a river whose streams bring happiness to God’s city, to the holy city of God Most High.  (5)  God is in that city, so it will never be destroyed. He is there to help even before sunrise.

— Here is a direct promise and a warning from the creator God:

THE PROMISE: See written in the unchangeable Word of God, a promise for His hand of protection and preservation of the City of Jerusalem. “God is in that city, so it will never be destroyed.”

THE WARNING: To any who dare to think they can overcome and destroy God’s chosen people and city… Who do you think you are? – You who dare to come face to face with the Almighty Creator to defy His protection, turn away or face His wrath at your arrogance.

 

(Vs.6-7)  Nations will shake with fear and kingdoms will fall when God shouts and makes the earth move.  (7)  The LORD All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah

— Again we are called to pause and ponder the futility of any who dare to oppose the people that God has claimed for His own possession and promise… Think how these kingdoms and powers will shake with fear when the face God’s wrath, for all He has to do is SPEAK and they are destroyed.

(Vs.8-10)  Look at the powerful things the LORD has done. See the awesome things he has done on earth.  (9)  He stops wars all over the world. He breaks the soldiers’ bows, shatters their spears, and burns their shields.  (10)  God says, “Stop fighting and know that I am God! I am the one who defeats the nations; I am the one who controls the world.”  

— For those who want to see the final chapter of man’s rebellion against their Creator read from…
The Book of Revelation 20:9-15 (ERV) I saw Satan’s army march across the earth and gather around the camp of God’s people and the city that God loves. But fire came down from heaven and destroyed Satan’s army.  (10)  And he (the one who tricked these people) was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur with the beast and the false prophet. There they would be tortured day and night forever and ever.  (11)  Then I saw a large white throne. I saw the one who was sitting on the throne. Earth and sky ran away from him and disappeared.  (12)  And I saw those who had died, great and small, standing before the throne. Some books were opened. And another book was opened—the book of life. The people were judged by what they had done, which is written in the books.  (13)  The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. All these people were judged by what they had done.  (14)  And Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.  (15)  And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

 

(Vs.11)  The LORD All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah

— Again we are called to pause and think…

Are we troubled by what we see developing around us? Do we fear to turn on the television and watch the News? – Christian, you are under the protection on the Lord God Most High… He speaks to His own as they pass through times of great distress, “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice. For Jehovah will do great things.” (From the Book of Joel 2:21)

— Where do we go to find peace? – We find it in the knowledge that God is in control, and has set a watch over you and I.

 

So as we enter the Christmas season, remember why we celebrate and take comfort in God’s Word from Matthew 1:22-23 (ERV) All this happened to make clear the full meaning of what the Lord said through the prophet:  (23)  “The virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.” (Immanuel means “God with us.”)

— May we all remember and celebrate the message of the angel choir that blessed night, from Luke 2:14  “Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him.” (ERV)

 

— So, may you have a Peaceful Merry Christmas, from our house to yours… Rev. Ken Kriese (RBND)