Sorry, guys and gals, I'm leaving. I find it is easier to post my stuff on Facebook, plus my photos. So if you want to follow my articles, check my Profile on Facebook. My stuff  can be read by non-Facebook members. Thanks to Mweb for hosting me up til now. I appreciate it. 

Cheers,

David Bertram

Sept 20

Sermon at the Hoedspruit Community Church

Lesson: Luke 24:13-35

Children’s talk

We all have special moments in our lives

When I was 11 – we went to visit some of my parents’ friends

At tea time – there were not enough chairs – so I sat on the carpet

I was sitting right next to a book case.

One of the books was about scientific experiments – I started reading it

When it was time for us to go – I had got through the first chapter of the book – then I had to put it back in the shelf.

But the people who we were visiting had seen how much I was enjoying the book – they told me to keep it.

I still have that book today – and it reminds me of an event which took place in 1957

Your lives are much shorter than mine

Yet I am sure there are things which have happened to you – that you will never forget

I hope they are good things – like me being given that book to take home

And there will be other events in your life – some good and some bad – that you will never forget

Remember one thing – God gives life – only God can make living creatures – and he has given life to you

He wants you to enjoy life – to have good times – not bad ones

But even the bad times – God can help us – he promised that he would never leave us alone – he will always be there for us.

I hope and pray that your lives will be filled with really good memories – so that you can thank God for being alive.

Walk to Emmaus

About ten years ago – I was the rector of the Anglican Church in Borrowdale in Harare

One of the members of the church was a woman named Rosalie – a very faithful Christian – just glowing with love for God

One day she came to see me – she had been away on holiday in South Africa with her husband

She told me she had been on a Walk to Emmaus – and it was an amazing experience – and she felt strongly that I should also go on one.

We made enquiries – but the only way for me to do it – would be if I went to South Africa.

And the walks are only held twice a year – it would have to fit in to our holiday plans.

The plan fell apart – and I never went on one

Then when I came to Hoedspruit – we ran the Alpha Course.

One of the men on the Alpha Course was a member of the AFM/AGS church

And he invited me to go on a Walk to Emmaus.

So I went – and I want to tell you a bit about my experience.

The Walk to Emmaus experience is based on the story found in Lk 24.13-35 – how two disciples of Jesus – really disillusioned after his death – were going back home – and on the way – they met Jesus.

This changed their lives.

Let’s examine this in more details – and relate it my experience last weekeend

13        Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.

14        They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.

We sometimes think that Jesus had only 12 disciples – but that is wrong.

We know this because in Acts 1 – they had to find a disciple to take the place of Judas – and they found two – Joseph Justus Barsabbas, and Matthias

Matthias was chosen to take the place of Judas.

At one time Jesus sent out 72 disciples – so there were many others around

Here we come across another one - Cleopas

Obviously – Cleopas and his friend had been with Jesus a long time – they thought they knew him well

They had experienced the death and burial of Jesus – came as a great shock to them

They believed in Jesus – knew he was the Messiah – the Son of God.

So it was impossible for him to have been killed - something had gone wrong

This is what they were discussing as they walked along

When I was 12 I had to go to boarding school - I was leaving home – feeling cut adrift

I had to fit in to the system - finding out what one has to do – how to survive – how to succeed

Emmaus Walk – a very well-oiled machine – every minute has been planned – and you have to let yourself be carried along

Two walks every year for men – two for women

The Loerie Community meets at Lydenburg – covers the area from Tzaneen to Nelspruit

Others in other centres in SA – rest of the world – all have the same format & structure

Disciples brought their concern over the death of J

Everyone comes with issues or problems – bring them with you into the presence of God

15        As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;

16        but they were kept from recognising him.

The purpose of a Walk to Emmaus weekend – is to meet Jesus

I was expecting another Christian course – where we assemble for meals – worship – and lectures

But a Walk to Emmaus is not like that – it is a highly organised experience

The main aim is to meet Jesus in a new way

And each person is going to meet J at his own point of need – some are new Christians – some lapsed Christians – some very involved in their churches

For each person – it is a unique experience

Many opportunities are provided for meeting Jesus – services in the chapel – times of meditation after each talk – in  discussions with each other

We all experienced an amazing amount of love in many different ways

17        He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.

18        One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

19        "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.

20        The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;

21        but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

22        In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning

23        but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.

24        Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

A key phrase – ‘We had hoped - but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.

Their hopes had been shattered

I think we have all been in that position – we that we have been betrayed – either by a person – or by a situation

Think back to your youth – the dreams you had for your future - Have those dreams been fulfilled?

Often they were the result of daydreaming – I was going to win the Nobel prize

Needless to say – it was a pipe-dream – no chance of being fulfilled

But sometimes we look back – and we feel cheated

And that is how these disciples felt – they were in a state of confusion – they could not understand what had happened - Voicing their bewilderment

A Walk to Emmaus makes provision for this

Times of discussion – opportunities to raise questions – problems

Discussed in a safe environment – confidentiality – trust

You start off the weekend as a stranger – not knowing the other people

You might know a handful of them – but most will be total strangers

But during the weekend – tremendous bonding takes place

You get to know the guys on the same table – and you start being able to trust them

I met farmers – journeymen – teachers – manufacturers

The youngest was about 30 – the oldest in his 90’s – average age about 40

All we had in common was Jesus – they were all church members

Ended up as brothers

25        He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

26        Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"

27        And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

We would love to know what Jesus said that day – we feel it would revolutionise our theology – and our faith

Imagine getting a lecture by Jesus on the Old Testament prophecies about him

But we are not told – which means that we don’t need this information – we can work it out for ourselves

I have forgotten how many prophecies of Jesus there are in the OT – but it runs into hundreds – although he is never mentioned by name.

In one case however – his name is used – and that is Joshua.

The name ‘Jesus’ is actually based on the name ‘Joshua’

And just as Moses was the forerunner of Joshua – so John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus.

And just as Joshua invaded the land of Canaan – the Promised Land – which became Israel

So Jesus invaded the planet Earth – which was the territory of Satan – bringing the kingdom of heaven.

And that is only one example that he could have used as they walked along the road to Emmaus

On our weekend we had 5 talks a day for three days

And it was not just listening – we all know the principle that we learn by doing – more than  by hearing

So after each talk – there was time for discussion – and the opportunity to concretise the subject of the talk in some form of group expression – all working together with the guys on the same table

The subject of the talks followed a progression which made a great deal of sense - each talk built on the previous one – very well thought out

Some of these talks will remain in my memory – I will be able to get out my notes – refesh my memory – apply them

And this was the point of the talks – not just to educate and inform – but to change habits – mobilise Christians – get us working for God.

28        As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going further.

29        But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

30        When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.

31        Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight.

32        They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Just imagine this scene – at the end of a long day’s walk – they have reached a place to spend the night – maybe at the house of a friend

Jesus pretends he is carrying on – but they have enjoyed his company so much - they beg him to stay with them

They really like this guy – they are pleased that he accepts the invitation – they want to get to know him better

Then at the start of the meal – he takes the bread – breaks it – and blesses it

And suddenly they recognise him.

There is a famous painting of this event – showing the amazement of the disciples

Then Jesus disappears

But they have recognised him – now they know that he is alive – he has risen from the dead – and they can understand why he told them all those things on the way

Now they have been given the understanding of his ministry – which fulfils the prophecies

Light has dawned in their darkness – their hearts were burning

Not only that – their disappointment has vanished

And it happened during the breaking of the bread – which is a metaphor for Holy Communion

They had misunderstood – but now they understand – and they need to explain it all to the other disciples who are still in Jerusalem

At the Emmaus weekend - there was a Communion service every day

You were given a piece of bread – and you dipped in the cup of grape juice – and then ate them

Otherwise the form of service was quite similar to the one we use.

They did their best to make these services memorable – and I found them very meaningful

We were also given opportunities to rededicate our lives to Christ

The disciples at Emmaus said - "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

And everybody had some point during the weekend – when he found his heart burning – because he had just met Jesus.

33        They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together

34        and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."

35        Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread.

The disciples had spent a whole day walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus.

They intended to spend the night there – and then carry on their journey the following day – probably heading to Galilee

But instead they dropped everything and returned to Jerusalem – back they way they had come.

Their plans had changed – and when they got there – they made it their business to tell the other disciples about their experience

They had met Jesus – and it was good news – that they could not keep to themselves.

The Walk to Emmaus is not just a nice weekend away – it is not just a time of good teaching and worship – it is not just a time of bonding together – and it is not just a time of deep experiences of the Lord

A Walk to Emmaus weekend is a life-changing experience – and you will not be the same person when you leave – as you were when you came.

Many people on the Walk had allowed their relationship with the Lord to get cold – and it was put in the microwave and reheated.

Many were good church members – but not much more than that

But when they finished the walk they were on fire for the gospel

At the end – we were asked what we were going to do  with this experience

And time and time again – people said they were going to do things for Jesus

And there is a great message for us in this

We become Christians by giving our lives to the Lord – and receiving eternal life

And many Christians believe that that is the end of the matter

All we need to do now is to be good - enjoy life – and wait until we die – and claim our place in heaven.

What sad story.

A bulldozer is a very powerful machine – capable of cutting through the earth – making a place for a road – or a house – or a dam wall

Imagine if the bulldozer driver did not even switch on the engine – spent all day sitting in the seat – smoking cigarettes – talking to his friends – having his lunch – and drinking coke.

We have been given the awesome power of the Holy Spirit

And it is not given to us for our own benefit

We are supposed to be using this power – in obedience to God – and doing his work in  the world

We need to switch on our bulldozers and get on with the work.

And that is what a Walk to Emmaus is aimed at

In the Bible – we read - Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread

They were passing on the good news.

Conclusion

Last weekend was only for men

This weekend – as we speak – there is another Walk to Emmaus – for the ladies

And in many cases – the husband went last weekend – and his wife is there now

Which means that after this weekend – both have had this experience – and it is something they have in common

Everybody who went on it last weekend was very glad that they had gone.

It was a wonderful experience

And the abiding impression we all carry away with us – is the love of God

God’s love is amazing – we can never empty the cup of his love - there is always more

You may be thinking – I would like to know more about this – how can I go on an Emmaus walk?

Speak to me – I can point you in the right direction

Let us close in prayer – remembering the ladies who are completing their walk this afternoon – and praying that we too may be able to meet Jesus in a new and meaningful way.

I have already sent my account of the trip to Australia, which I am not going to repeat. But that only took ten days. So this is what happened during the rest of August

The chaplain at the Hoedspruit Air Force Base is one of the pastors I meet weekly for prayer. He arranged a tour of the Air Force Base for the pastors of Hoedspruit. Early one day we assembled outside the Base. I had to surrender my camera – but not my cellphone, which I used instead of a camera. We were taken to the officers’ mess and given a briefing on the Oryx helicopter by a pilot. We walked to the runway and climbed aboard the helicopter. I found a place near the open doorway. It was very noisy, but we were issued with earplugs. We took off and flew over the Klein Drakensberg mountains, sometimes above, and sometimes in the valleys. It was a training flight, and the pilots practised landing in difficult places. After an hour in the air we returned to the base, having had a most interesting experience. It was the first time I had been in a helicopter, and the flight was surprisingly smooth. I felt I had missed my true vocation. I should have been a chopper pilot. And we had stunning views of the Blyde canyon.

We were then taken to the Air Security section, which monitors all aircraft flights in the north and east of South Africa. Here we saw how every aircraft in the air is tracked, and also how a pilot is assisted to land on instruments when he cannot see the runway. It was a great privilege to be shown around an area which would have been top secret during war time. Our tour ended with lunch at the Officers’ Mess in Drakensig, the residential part of the Base, with the commanding officers. It was a fascinating experience.

A few days later I attended a meeting of the Eco Club at the Southern Cross School. Lee Gutteridge came from the Waterberg area to give us a talk on tracking, illustrated with power points. This was most interesting. Early the next morning we met again at the school, which is situated in the Raptors View private game reserve. We walked a few kilometres, but it took us several hours, as we spent most of the time studying the path through the bush, identifying the tracks and evidence of animals which had passed along that area. We only saw two species of mammals, giraffes and a squirrel, but we found traces of over 20 animals, plus birds, insects and snakes. I also met some very interesting people. Hoedspruit is a place of continual surprises.

Next came the trip to Australia, which was preceded by a brief trip to Phalaborwa, so I could leave my cats at the SPCA. And it ended with another trip to Phalaborwa to collect them, plus a visit to the Kruger National Park. We took delivery of a vehicle, a Ford Bantam bakkie/ pickup, which the church has bought for my use. And I spent most of the rest of the month catching up with emails and writing reports.

My latest photos can be found on Facebook. Even those who are not members of Facebook can see them. Just find my profile.

Yours,

David

As winter makes way for spring, so the weather changes. In the Lowveld it is already hot and dry. And the sky is very hazy. Normally the Klein Drakensberg mountains stand out clearly, but now we see them through a curtain of haze. They are still visible, but faint and partly obscured. Some time ago I saw pictures from a satellite in space, looking down on the eastern coast of Africa. In the photo you could see the coastline. And inland, there were plumes of smoke travelling from east to west. The smoke from bush fires in Mozambique was being carried by the easterly winds across the continent. When the rains begin in late spring or summer, the picture changes. The rain washes the sky clean. The haze disappears. The rain encourages growth of grass, plants and trees, and the bare earth is covered. Our world is clean, beautiful and fresh.

We ourselves contribute to this haze, we pollute the atmosphere through the emissions of vehicles, industrial pollution and by not respecting the environment. Over-grazing and clearing of bush can leave soil unprotected, so that every gust of wind blows dust into the air. We also get polluted. Usually it is our own doing, our wrong decisions, our laziness or blindness, our selfishness. We cause harm and suffering to other people and to ourselves.  If we are not careful, sin leads to more sin, through revenge, through unforgiveness, through bitterness.

Isn’t wonderful how God has provided the rain to wash all this filth away? On the cross, his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ died to take all the sin of the world on himself. His blood was shed like the rain to cleanse us. And the Spirit of God is poured out upon us, like the rain, to bring us back to God, the place where we can receive healing for the problems of the past. We don’t have to wait for the summer rains, we can experience God’s cleaning power now. All we have to do is to ask for it.

(Article submitted for publication in Christian periodicals)

Sermon – Sept 6

Maholoholo ya Mati

Psalm 46

Confidence in God

1 Introduction

The Book of Psalms is usually referred to as the hymnbook of the ancient Jewish people

Although many of the psalms are attributed to King David – and obviously he wrote some of them – it could also mean that they were written by others but were apart of his collection.

Obviously – some of them come out of a personal situation – that we can recognise – for example – Psalm 51 fits in well with King David’s repentance after the episode with Bathsheba and her husband

Many of them reflect a time of disaster and suffering – thus they are very personal

But then the psalms became used in a different way – used for worship in the Temple

Psalm 46 - A song of victory – in a time of great danger – God acted and preserved his people

Therefore we can trust God in the future - A song of faith in God

2 We have nothing to fear

46:1:God is our refuge and strength, a very present+ help in trouble.

2:Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

3:though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah

If you look at a map of Africa and the Middle East – you can see a pattern

In Malawi there is Lake Malawi – which has formed in a long thin basin – running from north to south

In Kenya there is the Great Rift Valley – in the same line

And the lowest place on earth is the Dead Sea – in a valley also running north to south – which is in the same line

This vast area from Malawi to Israel – an area of weakness caused by continental drift – as parts of the continents of Africa and Asia are moving slowly apart – taking thousands of years

This instability results in earthquakes – we know that there were earthquakes in the land of Israel – archaeologists have found traces of the destruction that they caused

So this could be why this psalm was written

2:Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

3:though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

The psalm is not about personal threat – it is about national danger.

Not so much the threat of war – but natural calamities

Earthquakes – tsunamis – volcanoes – wreak havoc – but they will not overcome God’s people – and God’s plans

But God is in control – he will not allow his people to be wiped out

This is also true in our own lives - We feel vulnerable – forces oppose us

Enemies who are determined to destroy us – illness – economic collapse -  break-up of relationships

We are in a battle -  warfare - There are times when the enemy will seem to win - We may lose battles - But the war has already been won

The strangest book in the Bible is the Book of Revelation – many different attempts to understand it

But one thing is clear – which Revelation emphasizes – Jesus has won the battle of on the cross – the enemy has already been defeated

This is the message of Revelation – God is our refuge and strength

Romans 8.35-39 – nothing can separate us from the love of God

3 The City of God

4:There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

5:God is in the midst of the city;+ it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.

6:The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7:The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.+ Selah

4          There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God

The Israelites came from Egypt – a country dominated by the river Nile – the greatest river in Africa.

But Egypt was a pagan country – and this river did not make glad the city of God.

But the city of God is Jerusalem – where does Jerusalem get its water?

Some of it is rainfall – which is stored in underground cisterns - Some of it is piped in by gravity from nearby areas - And some of it rises in Jerusalem itself.

We had the privilege of walking along Hezekiah’s tunnel

In about 700 BC – when Jerusalem was threatened with invasion by Assyria – King Hezekiah had a tunnel built – to prevent the invaders from blocking access to water.

It took water from the Gibeon spring to the pool of Siloam – it is about 500 metres long – and was built by people without modern instruments or machinery

They started from the two ends and met up in the middle - and they carved through solid rock with axes and spades.

This guaranteed a source of water for the people of the city – even when they were surrounded by enemies - so that they could not go outside the walls to get water

It was always available - There is a stream which makes glad the city of God

The city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

Jerusalem is not just the capital of Israel – it is the place where the temple was built – it is the place where the people of Israel came year after year – at the time of the great feasts – to worship God

Jerusalem means much more than just another city - I did not understand this until I went there myself - It is a holy place

King David lived about 1000 BC – he captured the city – made his city.

In about 960 BC – Solomon built the Temple – thus Jerusalem became not only the political capital of the nation - but also the religious capital

Three times every year – the people gathered at Jerusalem for the great festivals – Passover – the feast of Weeks – and Tabernacles

So Jerusalem was not just the city of David – it was the city of God

And those who say it should be administered jointly with the Muslims have not understood this – yes – it is also a holy city of the Muslims – but it was a holy city of the Jews – a thousand years earlier than Mohammed.

As you walk through the streets – it is not like one of our cities – there is no room for vehicles – the streets are very narrow – and crowded with people

Many of them are Muslims – and you hear the sound of the muezzin calling them to worship at the mosque

You see rabbis dressed in black – with their hats and beards – sometimes praying as they walk quickly along

All faiths are represented – and many people who call themselves atheists

The little shops are fascinating – you can spend time just looking – and there is so much to see – meanwhile – the shopkeeper is doing his best to get you spend money

Like everywhere else – there are criminals – and you have to be vigilant – but I felt really safe in Jerusalem.

It is a divided city – claimed by Muslims and Jews – and this tension is always there.

And when you leave the city – you look back – and it is as though you can see the hand of God – stretched out over the city – in protection – in blessing

5:God is in the midst of the city;+ it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.

There are times of night – times of darkness – times of turmoil – times of suffering

But they will end – the dawn will come – God will bring victory.

When day comes after the darkness – God is there – and his power brings protection

6:The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7:The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.+ Selah

Even though nations are consumed in war – or by earthquakes – God is bringing victory.

4 Be still and know

8:Come,  behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.

9:He makes wars cease to the end 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 am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.'

11:The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.+ Selah

Here we are seeing a global perspective – it is no longer just about one little nation in the Middle East – it is no longer about a time of history

Come and see the works of the Lord

God’s works are not always easy to see – he works over centuries – and we don’t always see the results

But if we look back in time – we can see signs of God at work.

For example – we have been praying for Zimbabwe for about 7 years – and God seems to be doing nothing.

But how long did it take for South Africa to have a majority rule government?

And all the famous dictators in history – Adolf Hitler – Josef Stalin – Idi Amin – they all came to the end of their power.

God is always at work.

9:He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

God is in the peace business

There were times when his people had to go to war – to clean the promised land from the idolatry of false religions

So Joshua overcame the nations of the Canaanites

And after that – Israel had to fight for survival – again and again

Not only in biblical times – but also in recent history – since becoming a nation after the Second World War – she has been attacked several times – the Yom Kippur war – the Seven Day war

But God is in the peace business – there is nothing so destructive as war – it might solve a problem about who rules a country

But it creates massive problems – death on a huge scale – mutilation – bereavement

Whole nations are impoverished – floods of refugees have to be looked after

And today – countries have the awesome power of nuclear weapons

Not only incredibly powerful – but result in contamination by nuclear fall-out – so that people continue to get ill long after the bomb blast is over.

Bimini atoll in the Pacific Islands was used by the US for testing nuclear bombs in the 1950s – and half a century later is still uninhabited – the ground is too radioactive.

There are negotiations with Iran and N Korea about disarming their nuclear weapons

This is the work of God.

10:`Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.'

God is now speaking from heaven – he is the creator of the whole world - And he rules from his throne in heaven

We cannot see him there – but the psalm is speaking for him

Knowing God is a matter of being still

We are busy people – we have jobs to do – we have homes to run – and when the week is over – we have sport or family activities.

There is never enough time

Yet we need to listen to God – so he commands us to be still

We have to find the time and place to stop what we are doing – and just listen to God

We sometimes think that prayer is all about telling God things

Yes – we are told to bring our requests to God - Because that is how we exercise our faith – faith is trusting God – expecting to meet our needs – and grant our requests – but it starts with us telling him.

But that is only a small part of prayer - Prayer is listening to God – and we do that in silence

Prayer is also working out our love relationship with God – just being with him – and we also do that in silence

We live in a world of busyness and noise – there are so many things clamouring for our attention - It may be people – or problems – or fears

Sometimes the only way we can know God’s presence – is to be still

We need to take time – to register his presence -  We need to tune out the world – and focus on the solution

10:`Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.'

11:The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.+ Selah

The psalm ends with the promise – that if we spend time in God’s presence – by being silent – we will know what he is like

Phil 2:9-11 - Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is the same promise – because Jesus is at the right hand of the Father

God will be exalted – praised – worshipped – by all nations – races – languages – cultures

Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

We also need to remember that there is another city of God

Rev 21:1-7

1          Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

2          I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3          And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

4          He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

5          He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

6          He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

7          He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

(NIV)

At the end of all things – we will see the final triumph of God – his victory – and all things will be well.

5 Conclusion

As you get to know people – you discover things about their problems

At first – when you meet someone – you may get the impression that they are really blessed – living a good life.

And then – as time goes on – you discover the problems

It is often problems with the family – in marriage – or with children

Or it may be illness – or not being able to find work - It might be fear

And you discover that you thought you were having a tough time – until you find out what other people are going through

This psalm speaks to all of us

In our hymns – we worship God – we thank him for who he is – and what he has done for us

This psalm is also a hymn – which exalts God

It leads us to trust God

Although we go through difficult times – even terrible times – we know that God is not overcome

And God does not just let us experience these bad things – he comes along beside us – he goes through the trouble with us.

I want to tell you that I can say this psalm – I can sing these hymns – because of what I have experienced

I could give you a long list of my problems – but that doesn’t mean my problems are worse than yours

Life can be very hard

This psalm encourages us – God knows our problems – and he feels for us

He also walks beside us – he does not desert us – he is always with us

And at the end – there will be victory – because that is our promise

11:The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.+ Selah