Psalm 46

Big Idea

Tension: Why should we trust God?

Resolution: Because he is wholly other, infinitely near, and therefore God and we are not.

Exegetical Reason: We should trust God because he is wholly other, infinitely near, and therefore God and we are not.

Theological Idea: Because God is God, we can trust he is wholly other and infinitely near.

Homiletical Idea: God, as the wholly other, infinitely near, deserves all our trust.

We can trust that God is bigger, but we must also remember that we are not.

Intro: Coronavirus

God is Bigger (1-3)

God is our refuge and strength

Transcendence

God can only be our refuge because of Christ. Unless Christ bears our sins, unless Christ died in our place, unless Christ rose again from the dead, God is not our refuge. ()

Therefore: because, since, if then.

We will not fear: We will not panic, we will not be anxious, we will not be nervous, we will instead trust

Though the earth gives way, the mountains moved into the heart of the sea

This scene is of de-creation, the world falling apart.

Jesus is bigger

Because I am Christ’s and Christ is mine, I need not fear even when this is upon me.

God is Nearer

Something here gladdens God’s people

There is no river? What is he talking about?

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

Something here gladdens God’s people (contrast w/ verse 6)

There is no river? What is he talking about?

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. God is that river. Union with Christ ()

God will help her when the morning dawns

Connection to Red Sea

God of Jacob: Jacob lived a life of deception and trickery, but God never abandoned him once. Just like God never abandoned Jacob, he will never abandon us.

God is God-der

See all that God has done, the desolations

Remember the 10 Plagues

Remember the Red Sea

Remember the defeat of the Amalekites

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth

He brought Israel out of slavery

He brought Israel out of danger

He brought Israel out of ambush

Be still and know that I am God

Stillness is not vague, ambiguous and contentless. It is meant to reflect on the biggness of God, the immensity of God, the Godness of God.

If God is exalted that means that we are not.

God is bigger, God is nearer, and God is Godder.

Conclusion: Martin Luther, God is our fortress

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 power 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 though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through 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 powers, No thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through 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.