Back to title page. Our Mighty God of Safety (3 of 6) Series: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. Steve Wagers. Psalm 46:4-5 INTRO:

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1 ï» Home Back to title page Our Mighty God of Safety (3 of 6) Series: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Steve Wagers Psalm 46:4-5 INTRO: As at no other time in the history, of this great nation, have we experienced such technological advances, educational achievements, and medical accomplishments, as we have in the past 10 years. We are flying higher, traveling faster, and growing larger than at any other time. Yet, in the midst of this dynamic revolution, there is still one thing that many are in search of, and that is Peace, and Safety! Why, one would think that the statue of our freedom, in our nation's capital, would be one of the safest places in the world. However, a few days ago, as you well know, we were awakened to the grim reality that not even it is safe. For, on Friday, July 24, at approximately 2:30 p.m., a man with a feather in his cap, by the name of Robert Eugene Weston, Jr., entered the U.S. Capitol building, and proceeded to go around, instead of through, the metal detector. When police officer, Jacob J. Chestnut challenged him, the man pulled our a Smith & Wesson.38 revolver and shot Chestnut through the eye. As the gunshots echoed through the marble hallway, the intruder, possibly in pursuit of a woman, made his way down a small hallway, and through a door marked, "Private: Do Not Enter!" Inside the door, in a warren of offices reserved for House Majority Whip, Tom DeLay, staffers were drinking champagne to celebrate a legislative victory on health care reform they had achieved that afternoon. Hearing the gunfire, Special Agent, John Gibson, jumped from him guard post, near the door, and shouted to the staffers to get down. When the fleeing woman burst through the door, Gibson pushed her aside, and leveled his 9mm pistol at the intruder. Immediately, both men opened fire, and at point blank range, within seconds, Gibson dropped to the floor, with a fatal wound to his chest. Weston also collapsed in a pool of his own blood, with wounds to the chest, shoulder, and thigh. 2 Thus, while we mourn the tragic deaths of these officers, and we are grateful for the sacrifice that they made, we are once again

2 reminded of the constant threat to our national, as well as, our personal safety. Statistics tell us that if crime were tied to a clock, these offenses would occur at the following intervals: **1 murder is committed every 22 minutes **A rape occurs every 5 minutes **A robbery occurs every 47 seconds **An assault is committed every 28 seconds **A burglary occurs every 11 seconds. 3 However, in the text before us, today, the Psalmist reminds us, not only, of our mighty God of Security, and our mighty God of Stability; but, in these verses, he speaks of "Our Mighty God Of Safety!" Thus, in these days, while we may be unable to leave our doors unlocked, and our homes unprotected, thanks be to God, we still have a place of safety, a promise of safety, and a person of safety that we can count on. In these verses, the Psalmist depicts, describes, and defines our God of Safety in a very unusual way; for, he refers to Him as a river. Thus, proving to us, by this description, that regardless of the disasters, disturbances, and dangers we may encounter, He is still, "Our Mighty God Of Safety!" Briefly, let's examine the river that is spoken of, in these verses, and see the manner in which the Psalmist speaks of our God of safety. Notice, as we see: I. THE MYSTERY OF THIS RIVER (v. 4) The first question we might ask is, "Why does he use, or refer to our safety, by using a river?" Thus, we see that there is some what of a mystery about this river. As we dig further into this verse, and the mystery of this river, we see that: A. IT IS MYSTERIOUS IN IT'S ORIGIN

3 1. Notice, again, verse 4. The Psalmist is speaking of a river that is mysterious in it's origin. 2. Our history books tell us to which river the Psalmist is referring. For, the word "river", literally denotes "a constantly river." Thus, he is not referring to a creek, which carries a flash flood, and dries up to nothing. Nor, is he referring to an ocean, whose tides and waves crash upon the rocks. But, rather, he speaks of a calm, cool, and constant river that is mysterious in it's origin. 3. As we once again are reminded of the setting of these verses, we quickly see this mystery unfold. 4. As we have already established, this Psalm was written, based upon the event of Sennacherib's invasion of Jerusalem. 5. Thus, knowing that sooner or later the Assyrian army would besiege Jerusalem, Hezekiah, the king of Judah, had taken steps to insure that Jerusalem had a unfailing water supply, no matter how long the attack. 6. You see, the great fear of an Eastern city, in time of war, was that their water supply would be cut off during a battle. If that happened, the residents would, sooner or later, have to surrender. 7. Also, Jerusalem was a city, one of a few, which was not built on a river. Egypt was built on a Nile, Babylon was built on the Euphrates; and, Rome was built on the Tiber. Yet, Jerusalem had no river running through it for a water supply. 8. Thus, Hezekiah saw the desperate need for a water supply, so he built a marvelous water system for the city. It was not only marvelous, but It Is Mysterious In It's Origin! B. IT IS MYSTERIOUS IN IT'S OUTCOME 1. Notice again verse 4. Not only does the Psalmist refer to a river that is mysterious in it's origin, but one that is mysterious in it's outcome. For, keep in mind the words, "the streams whereof make glad the city of God." 2. Again, remember, here was a city under assault, and under attack. They were surrounded by the Assyrian army, and it appeared as if Sennacherib's army would be able to cut them off. 3. However, again, Hezekiah, with divine intervention, was able to build a water system for their survival. One that was not only mysterious in it's origin, but one mysterious in it's outcome.

4 4. Historians tell us that the spring of Gihon, located beneath the steep hill of Ophel in the Kidron Valley, Jerusalem's only, and most ancient water supply, was exposed to enemy attack. Thus, the Assyrian army was very aware of it's existence; and, that it was their only source of water. 5. However, Hezekiah went and diverted the spring through a conduit, 1777 feet long, and brought it back into a reservoir, inside the wall of the city He, then, completely covered the spring so that the Assyrian army would not know it was there. 7. Therefore, knowing that they now had a water supply, one hidden from the enemy, is it any wonder that they could say, "There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God." It is a river Mysterious In It's Origin, and It Is Mysterious In It's Outcome. That is The Mystery Of This River! I. THE MYSTERY OF THIS RIVER II. THE MIGHT OF THIS RIVER (v. 5a) One might be inclined to ask, "What makes this river different from any other river?" Well, the Psalmist answers that, by informing us that this river is special because, "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved." Thus, we not only see the mystery of this river, but the might of this river. As we observe these wonderful words, we see that this river is mighty because: A. THERE IS A PERSON WHO IS ABIDING 1. Notice, again, the words, "God is in the midst of her." Those words indicate to us that this river is mighty because there is a person who is abiding. 2. You see, there was not only a marvelous river, but there was a marvelous resident. Thus, his abiding presence made this river mighty. 3. Again, it was the city of God, the people of God, and the man of God who were under enemy attack, and oppression; and, the river that Hezekiah constructed was mighty because it was an ingenious plan to give the city a much needed water supply. 4. However, what made this river mighty was that God, in His Sufficiency, in His Superiority; and, in His Sovereignty, met the need of His people, and He was "in the midst of her." Thus, this river was mighty because there was a person who was

5 abiding. ILLUSTRATION: I think of a practice that the early American Indiana used to train young braves. On the night of a boy's 13th birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to the final test. He was placed in a dense forest, to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the security of his family, and the tribe. But, on that night, he was blindfolded, and taken several miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods; and, needless to say, he was terrified. Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild beast ready to devour him. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke, and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his amazement, he saw the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. IT WAS HIS FATHER, and he had been there all night long! 5 5. When I read that, I thought, Blessed be God, though we may feel as if we're in the darkened shadows of despair, HE IS THERE, and "God is in the midst of her." 6. Is it any wonder, then, that the songwriter could think of that, and pen the words: "He's in the midst of our storm, He's in the valley we walk thru. Where two or three are gathered in His name, He'll be there too. When you feel so all alone, He is standing next to you. He's with us now, our Lord, He's in the midst!" 7. You see, Sennacherib, and the Assyrian host, knew not of this marvelous, and mysterious water supply. But, the people of God knew, the man of God knew; and most of all, God Himself knew, because "God is in the midst of her!" Thus, this river is

6 mighty because There Is A Person Who Is Abiding! B. THERE IS A PROMISE THAT IS AWAITING 1. Notice, the middle part of verse 5, because "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved." Thus, this river is not only mighty because there is a person who is abiding, but there is a promise that is awaiting. 2. Keep in mind, again, that Sennacherib, and his hosts, knew nothing of this unfailing water supply, without which, the city could not, and would not have lasted for more than a month or two. 3. Without that hidden river, Jerusalem would have fallen, not from the "strength of the foe without, but because of the weakness of the failure within!" 6 4. However, the city did have a secret river, and that river was mighty, not only because of the abiding person; but, because of the awaiting promise. Because God was in the midst of her, "she shall not shaken, she shall not waver, and she shall not be moved." ILLUSTRATION: It is said that when the early reformers began to fear that the Reformation movement would be halted, Martin Luther would then seek to comfort, and calm their fears. On one such instance, Luther stood before them, and said, "If we perish, Christ must fall too, for He is in the midst of us; and, if it must be so, be it so. I had rather perish with Christ, than to prosper with Caesar!" 7 ILLUSTRATION: I remember reading of a monastery in Portugal, that is perched high on a 3,000 ft. cliff, and is accessible only by a terrifying ride in a swaying basket. The basket is pulled with a single rope, by several strong men, perspiring under the strain of the fully loaded basket. One American tourist, who visited the site, got nervous halfway up the cliff, when he noticed that the rope was old and frayed. Hoping to relieve his fears, he asked, "How often do you change the rope?" The monk in charge replied, "We change it, whenever it breaks!"

7 5. But, thanks be to God, we not fear the possibility of a breaking, for we have a promise, and that is that "we shall not be moved!" 6. Sure, the ride gets bumpy, and the road gets rocky. Sure, there are times of peril, persecution, and problems, but, "we shall not be moved!" 7. You see, this river provided an unyielding, an unceasing, and an unfailing source of water for the city of God. But, in and of itself, it was just an ordinary river. 8. However, this was no ordinary river, but it was a mighty river. It's might resulted because There Is A Person Who Is Abiding, and There Is A Promise That Is Awaiting. "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved." That's The Might Of This River! I. THE MYSTERY OF THIS RIVER II. THE MIGHT OF THIS RIVER III. THE MEANING OF THIS RIVER (v. 5b) As we examine the last part of verse 5, we not only see the mystery of this river, and the might of this river; but, we see, the meaning of this river. As we look at what this river means, we see that: A. THIS RIVER HAS A HISTORICAL MEANING 1. Again, remember the scene, the setting, and the situation in which this river was created. 2. The city of God, Jerusalem, besieged and surrounded by the Assyrian hosts, had no other source of water. Their main water supply was open to, and known of by the enemy, thus it served as no means of survival to them. 3. However, with Hezekiah's ingenious plan, they were able to create a water supply, which would enable them to persevere again enemy attack. Otherwise, without it, they were helpless, and hopeless in their struggle to stay alive, thus, This River Has A Historical Meaning! B. THIS RIVER HAS A SPIRITUAL MEANING

8 1. Notice, again, the last part of verse 5, "God shall help her, and that right early." This river not only had a historical meaning, but it has a spiritual meaning. 2. While we can rejoice in God's intervention for His people, one, no doubt, would ask, "What does that mean to us?" 3. Well, WE HAVE A RIVER! You see, while the Psalmist is referring to a literal river, he is also speaking of a spiritual river. He speaks of a source, and a supply of spiritual power available to His people. Thus, this river not only has a historical meaning, but it has a spiritual meaning. 4. Think with me, for a moment. As you know, in the Scriptures, water is always a type of the Holy Spirit, and God's wonderful presence. 5. However, also, in the Bible, we see the Triune God depicted as our spiritual water supply. For example, in Jeremiah 2:13, God the Father is set before us as the fountain of living water. In John 4:13, God the Son is described to us as the well of living water. Finally, in John 7:37, God the Holy Spirit is defined as the river of living water. 6. Thus, though Jerusalem enjoyed a blessed river, we, too, enjoy the fountain of living water, the well of living water; and the river of living water. Yes, Hallelujah to God, this river has a spiritual meaning. 7. Therefore, because of that, though we face troubles around us, we have a river within us. Though we face testings against us, we have a river within us. Though we face trials among us, thank God, we have a river within us! 8. That's why when things seem to fall apart, we don't have to. That's why when we face troubles, we need not be troubled. That's why in a world searching for peace, we have peace; and, that "peace is like a river." I believe you would agree with me, that this river has a spiritual meaning. ILLUSTRATION: I think of an experiment that was conducted by the Army Air Corps in Florida, regarding hurricanes. Once, when an awful hurricane began to surface, they sent a plane to meet it, and, proceeded to fly straight into the center of it. It was the first time any person had ever flown into the center of a hurricane. However, when they got inside, they found no rain, nor high winds, but a perfect calm. It was so calm and peaceful, that they flew inside of it for several minutes. Later, one of the airmen said that he would never again be afraid of a hurricane, if he could only get to the center of it! 8

9 10. When I read that, I thought, be it Hurricane Hugo, or El Nino, WE HAVE A RIVER! Thus, though we face strong foe about us, we have a stronger friend within us! Yes, This River Has A Historical Meaning, but This River Has A Spiritual Meaning! That's, not only, the mystery of this river, and the might of this river; but, that's The Meaning Of This River! ILLUSTRATION: It is said that on Christmas Eve, 1875, Ira Sankey was traveling on a Delaware River steamboat, when he was suddenly recognized by some of the passengers. His picture had been seen in the newspaper, because he was the song leader of the famous evangelist D.L. Moody. They asked him to sing one of his own hymns, but Sankey refused, saying that he would rather sing his favorite hymn, written by William Bradbury, "Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us!" As he sang, one of the stanzas began: "We are thine, Do Thou befriend us, Be the Guardian of our way." When he finished, a man stepped from the shadows, and asked him, "Did you ever serve in the Union army?" Sankey said that he did, in the spring of The man then asked, "Do you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright, moonlit night in 1862?" Again, Sankey said that he did. The man then said, "So did I, but I was in the Confederate Army. When I saw you standing at your post, I thought to myself, 'That fellow will never get away alive.' So, I raised my musket and took aim. I was standing in the shadows, completely concealed, while the full light of the moon was falling upon you. At that instant, just as a moment ago, you raised your eyes to heaven, and began to sing. I determined to let you finish singing, and then shoot you. But, the song you sang then, was the song you sang just now. I heard the words perfectly, "We are thine, Do Thou befriend us, Be the Guardian of our way!"

10 "Those words stirred up many memories for me. I began to think of my childhood, and my God-fearing mother, for she had, many times, sang that song to me. Thus, when you had finished your song, I found it impossible for me to take aim again. I thought, 'The Lord who is able to save that man from certain death, must surely be great and mighty!' Then, my arm, or it's own accord, dropped limp to my side!" Now, lest you misunderstand me, I thank God for the protection that our armed forces, and our law enforcement provides. But, friend, if ever branch of government would suddenly be immobilized, we could still say, "There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God....God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early!" We have wonderfully seen The Mystery Of This River, The Might Of This River, and The Meaning Of This River. Thus, I don't know about you, but I don't find it hard to sing with the songwriter: "A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, A wonderful Savior to me. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, Where rivers of pleasure I see. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, That shadows a dry, thirsty land. He hideth my life in the depths of His love, And covers me there with His hand. And covers me there with His hand!" Yes, Bless His Name, He is "Our Mighty God Of Safety!"

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