The Bethany Bullet - Week of October 30, 2016

“Even If…”

Text: Psalm 46

 Luther and the Reformers took great comfort in the words of the 46^th Psalm.  They were living in an “even if” moment.  “God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.  And so we need not fear even if the world implodes…” TLB

Luther’s world was one of chaos, conflict and crisis.  The Turks were at the gates of Vienna and many seriously worried that a radical Islamist invasion could sweep across Europe.   Political maneuverings, the buying and selling of influence, the certainty that the majority of citizens would neither trust nor like the emperor elect, and a wave of populist nationalism that had many seeking to make their country great.  In the church, centralized bureaucracy was seeking to amass more and more power for itself and exert great and greater authority over others.   The more things change…

In a world of chaos, conflict and crisis the Psalmist speaks to us at a deep level that hits us right where we live:  “We need not fear…for God is our refuge and strength.”

Living in an “even if” moment drives us to return again to the heart of the Reformation; or it should.  To renew and reconfirm that which we hold most dear, the truths that:

                God is for us – His grace alone secures us

                God is with us – as faith alone assures us

                God is our fortress – as the Word alone doth promise

Therefore, “even if…”, “even if…”, “even if…” we will not fear for the victory has been won, the kingdom ours remaineth.

-Pastor Kevin Kritzer