-----Original Message-----
From: sforest@aol.com
Sent: Thu, Mar 10, 2011 12:12 pm
From: sforest@aol.com
Sent: Thu, Mar 10, 2011 12:12 pm
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
So, here we are, the 10th of the month and Psalms 46-50, repetition of the same words over and over again, words which are, "life to those who find them and medicine to all their flesh."
Our text does not say, "a very present help," to get us out of trouble," or to solve problems, or make life easy for me. It is, "a very present help in trouble." When Stephen died nearly 41 years ago, God was not, "a very present help," to bring him back, nor to take away the pain, the void, the sadness. It's still here. What He was, though, and is, and every shall be is, "a very present help." Some want a God who does their bidding, then leaves them alone until they need more "help"--------- then more bidding, more help, more bidding. Really? There is never a time when I am not needy; and the Good News in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that while I am continually needy, Jesus Christ is continually, "very present."
The Hebrew word for, "very," in our text is translated elsewhere as, "excessive, diligent." So, the Blessed Trinity is, "God our refuge and strength, a diligent, excessive help," period. "Excessive," means "going beyond the necessary," extravagant, even unreasonable. This is God revealed solely in Jesus Christ------------- always "going beyond the necessary," extravagant, a beyond reason, "Help."
Father, in Jesus' Name, without You I am an extremely vulnerable lamb, no protection, no strength. So glad and thankful You are Both. Amen.
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* See Article on Rift Between Germany and Israel at: www.apf327.blogspot.com
* Please Pray for Our Mission to Berlin/East Europe, March 26-April 25When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
