Sermon for September 11th, 2016

Psalm 46

To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
   though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
   God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
   he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;
   see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
   he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
   he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
   I am exalted among the nations,
   I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Selah: Ancient Songs Our Souls Still Sing

Psalm 46 is about remembering the Lord in times of trouble. I'm reminded of another story about Bubba and Tiny--the time they took a shortcut across farmer Jim's field. They went past the "no trespassing" sign, climbed under the fence with no trouble, but they hadn't gotten too far across the field when they saw the farmer Jim's prize Angus Bull. And the bull saw them. And the bull was angry. And the bull began to run. And Bubba and Tiny began to run. And as they ran, with the bull in hot pursuit, Tiny yelled out to Bubba, "you better pray for us, Bubba!" Bubba yelled back, "I only know one prayer, Tiny, but I don't think it's the right one!" By this time, the bull is almost right on top of them, and Tiny yells back, "I don't care, Bubba--just pray something!" So Bubba, still running, lowers his eyes and folds his hands and says, "O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful."

-A mighty fortress is our god (Luther) -jess nelson -selah -september 11 (Billy Graham preached this text in National Cathedral after 9/11) -Pastor Neal's Haiku

Verse 1: Natural disasters (flood, hurricane, earthquake, cancer) Verse 2: Political disasters (war, terror, violence)

-God of Might -God of Mystery -God in our Midst (Immanu El)