November 25, 2007am     The God Flood    Psalm 46

By Ronald E. George Jr.  at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

If you were going to write a song about God what would you say?  In Psalm 46 the Psalmist says that there is a river that flows from the throne of God that makes the city of God glad.  In the desert the river is a source of life and happiness for all who taste of it’s life giving streams.  This Psalm is from a person who lives in a dry land.  The river makes them glad.  God makes the Psalmist glad in Psalm 46.   

Psalm 46 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.^a A song.

^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^b 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 ^[1]

A Flood of God

1. A Flood of Protection/Refuge:  God is with us.  If God is with us who can be against us. 

2. A Flood of Strength:  David slew the giant.  The three Hebrew boys survived the furnace.  The Son of God overcome death, hell, and the grave.  He is alive.

3. A Flood of Help:  What do you need help?  Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life.  He is the way and he has the way to live eternal. He shows the way.

4. A Flood of Courage (no fear):  Why should you be afraid?  God is our God.  He is God. 

5. A Flood of Stability:  The earth crumbles around us, but God is our rock that doesn’t move. 

6. A Flood of happiness from the river of God .  It makes glad the city:  People are happy when God comes into their lives.  He brings life and liberty.  He gives hope and help.  He is the only true living God. 

7. A Flood of protection:  Sin brought death and destruction, but God gives life and happiness.  He protects us from death, hell, and the grave.  He is alive!

8. A Flood of Power.  (the earth melts):  Who can match His power?

9. A Flood of Presence:  His presence moves like a flood to cover your world. 

10. A Flood of God’s work.  Come and see. What has the Lord done in your life?

11. A Flood of Peace.  Peace is the presence.  The Prince of Peace gives peace.

12. A Flood of Silence.  Also to saints of all ages, the call for a silent trust in God’s saving power, in anticipation of universal peace, has been a source of comfort and strength.^[2]

Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
[originally When my eye-strings break in death]
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.  By Au­gus­tus M. Top­la­dy, 1776.