Faith in Tough Times

When it rumbles #1

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah (Psalms46:1-3)

There has been a lot of pessimism around the start of 2016. And, to be sure, there is a lot to worry about: from the economy and a plummeting rand to horrible racism in our media to a horrific road death toll over the holiday period to increasing concern about the corruption and self-interest in many of our politicians.

This morning I was devastated by the news that one of my colleagues in ministry, Rev Cliff Leeuw, was stabbed and killed on a beach in East London. Cliff was a giant of a man, a fearless God-and-people-lover who built bridges between people and who, with booming voice and beaming smile helped people worship God.

I have also just had the news that Rocky Valley, our Presbyterian Youth Camp site in Krugersdorp was devastated by a hail storm on Saturday. Ten roofs have holes in them, 76 windows are broken and there is extensive flood damage.

On New Year's day at our special evening service I pronounced the benediction saying that 2016 was going to be a tough year, but that we would face it with faith and courage. My words were - "Our God is with us - so bring it on."

Don't get me wrong - I'm not talking about simplistic triumphalistic ivory-tower faith, but rather deep and courageous faith that remembers that God is always bigger than our trouble...

Psalm 46 offers the same approach - courage in the face of trouble:

The rand may weaken (though the earth give way)
The politicians may frustrate us (though the mountains fall)
Violence may intimidate us (though the waters roar and foam)
Christian campsites may get hail damaged by rain we prayed for (though mountains quake)

But God is our refuge and strength.

Our God is not only the God of the tranquil moonlit night, He is the God of the thunderstorm and the earthquake, wind and fire.

"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help IN trouble."
(Read it aloud with an emphasis on the "IN")

(We'll reflect on Psalm 46 for the next few days - read it in its entirety below...)

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Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends 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 will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah