THERE IS A GOD

THERE IS A GOD!

Psalm 46

In light of current events, I want to forego our current series to speak a word of comfort and encouragement to you today...

Shooting yesterday in El Paso; shooting last night in Dayton Ohio; multiple shootings the past weeks...

Many are asking, "Where is God in all this?"  Let's look to the Bible this morning for some answers...

Psalm 46 (NKJV) To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.

¹ God is...

God is... Let's just start right there. Many would say that what has happened is proof that there is no God.  That would be a mistake.  The Bible begins with a clear statement of His existence:

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV) In the beginning God... No debate; no question; just the statement...

Faith and trust begin at that point...

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Many would argue, "If God exists then why didn't He stop this?" This is a centuries old discussion that can be phrased several ways: "Why does God allow evil?"; "Did God create evil?"; "Why do bad things happen to good people?"

I wish I could answer these questions; I cannot; I am not God.  Philosophers and theologians have wrestled with the questions for eons of time and I would not begin to try to answer it completely.  I can only say what the Bible says:

James 1:13 (NKJV) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

John 10:10 (NKJV) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Daniel 7:25–27 (NKJV) He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time. ²⁶ ‘But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever. ²⁷ Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

I can trust that God is on the job and working everything out for good.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

our refuge and strength,

There are so many references to refuge in the Bible; too many to read.  He is our hiding place, our buckler, our shield, our cleft in the rock. our high tower...

Illustration: Cities of refuge...

He is our strength...

Psalm 27:1 (NKJV) The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

a very present help in trouble.

God is here right now.  He is not off in heaven just looking and hoping we make it.  He is with us now!  He is here and He is not silent!  He is working on our behalf.

² Therefore we will not fear,

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; ³ though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

We do not have to fear calamities when they come.

⁴ There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. This is a picture of the church, God's people...

Ezekiel 47:1 (NKJV) Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar...

The water gets deeper and the fruit gets bigger!

John 7:37–38 (NKJV) On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸ He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

⁵ God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

⁶ The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

This is the root.  The nations are raging against the Lord!

Psalm 2:1–3 (NKJV) Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? ² The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ³ “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.”

⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. ⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.

Psalm 2:4–5 (NKJV) He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. ⁵ Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:

Psalm 50:21 (NKJV) These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you and set them in order before your eyes.

¹⁰ Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!

¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Dr. Joel Gregory: The God of angel armies... The God of Jacob... Emmanuel, God is with us!

PRACTICAL THINGS TO DO

1.  Pray for our city.

2.  Check on each other.

3.  Be alert to family and friends that are hurting.

4.  Pray for wisdom for our leaders.

5.  Live normally.

6.  Look for signs of revival!