22nd March 2020 – Psalm 46 – Ashford Community Church

CHURCH IS NOT A BUILDING – CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE OF GOD

WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO CHURCH – WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE CHURCH

PSALM 46 – A RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

DOES BEING A CHRISTIAN MEAN THAT WE ARE PROTECTED FROM CATCHING COVID-19?

We are living in unprecedented times. Not even during the height of 2 World Wars were church buildings closed down. Not even during times of Plague and the Flu Epidemic of 1919 which allegedly killed more people than the First World War itself were churches closed down.

But here we are. It is 2020 and the world has never been more technologically advanced, the world has never been more medically capable. But, here we are – in a world that is riven with panic buying and daily anxiety.

More than ever we need 2020 Vision – to see what God is saying to His church at this time.

There are those in the worldwide church who believe that this Crisis is sent from God to bring people to repentance. There are others who equally passionately believe that this Crisis is from our enemy, the devil, sent to destroy and shut down churches. There are others who believe that this virus is a natural consequence of living in a “Fallen” world.

There are those who believe that the person of faith in God will be protected from catching this virus – and that if a Christian does catch it then this shows a lack of faith on their part. There are others who say that being a disciple of Jesus gives no divine protection from catching this virus. I have not heard any account yet of “Followers of the Way” being immune from the illness – if you have, then please let me know.

Throughout the history of the Church, Christians have been subject to the same plagues, diseases and disasters as everyone else. Christians get ill and Christians die. So, what makes us different during this time of fear and anxiety? What is the hope that we have? What is the hope and the peace that the world should be seeing through us?

What hope does the Word of God give to us? Well, let us consider, very simply and very quickly, the wonderful promises of Psalm 46 that were given to us for just a time as this…

PSALM 46

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.

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

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

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

⁸Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.’

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

GOD IS OUR PLACE OF SECURITY (VERSE 1)

When there is trouble in our lives – or in the world – and there always seems to be trouble of one kind or another – what a comfort it is to know that God promises to be the one we can find refuge in. When a little child has problems, how delightful it is to be able to cuddle up in the loving arms of their father or mother. Whatever is going on they now feel safe, secure, loved and cared for. The trouble may still be there – but it is out there somewhere. Now, safe in the loving arms they are comforted. God wishes to wrap His loving arms round you right now. Just receive this.

And a child feels secure when they feel the strength of those loving arms around them. When you feel weak because of what is going on in your life – recognise that God is strong – there is none stronger in the universe! And His arms – His strong arms of love are around you. There is no problem in this life, no person in this world, who is as strong as the LORD. And Father God wants you to know His strength in all situations right now.

We may be in a time of great trouble. But, He will always be there to help us in it. That help might be to take that trouble away. But, that help might be to sustain us through that time of trouble. Father God wants you to know – right now – that He WILL be your ever-present help.