Help in Times of Trouble – Service and Sermon, March 22, 2020
Invocation In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
A Psalm of Help and Protection – from Psalm 46 (Knowing that God is our protector and helper, our refuge and fortress, we can be still, that is, stay calm and trust in Him.) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
A Prayer and Promise of Trust Dear Heavenly Father, Your ways are not our ways. Your perspective is higher than ours. You see things now, and in the past, and in the future that we don’t see. We don’t always understand why things happen in this fallen world, but we know that You will reveal all things to us in Your Heavenly Kingdom. Keep us trusting in Your sure and certain promise from Romans 8:28, that You will work all things out for good for those who love You. During this time of pandemic, and always, may the eyes of all look to You, and the hearts of all trust in You, for You so loved the world, that You gave Your only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life; in His name we pray. Amen.
Scripture Verses for Comfort and Strength Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow if death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world!
A Hymn of Help and Hope O God, Our Help in Ages Past God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne, Thy saints have dwelt secure, Sufficient is Thine arm alone, And our defense is sure.
O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guard while troubles last, And our eternal home!
Sermon Help in Times of Trouble Grace, mercy, and peace be with you, from God, our caring Father, and our loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who helps us in times of trouble.
Our message is based on Psalm 46, especially verse 1: God is our refuge and strength, a very presenthelp in trouble.
These are unprecedented times, at least in past 100 years. Perhaps not since the world-wide influenza pandemic of 1918, have we seen our nation and our world in such a panic over a tiny virus.
In 1918, the world didn’t have antibiotics and today’s medical and scientific advancements to counter the pandemic. But the children of God had something greater than anything else on their side: the Lord God Almighty!
God has not changed since 1918, or ever. He is as great and powerful as then, as merciful and loving, and as wise and knowing. He is truly, as the hymn based on Psalm 92 says, Our help in ages past, and our hope for years to come!
God, whose power and love brought people through the pandemic of 1918, is our help for today, whatever our troubles may be, and our hope for tomorrow, whatever challenges may come.
Therefore, as Psalm 46 assures us, we will not fear, though the earth give way, and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. It may seem that our world is coming apart at the seams, but God in calm and in charge. His mercy endures forever, even in the midst of global chaos.
How quickly things have changed in our nation and our world. How amazing that something so small and invisible, this tiny virus, can get the attention of the whole world. All the resources we can muster are being thrown at it. Still, we don’t know how effective our measures will be. We can only wait and pray, and try to be as careful as possible, and remain calm.
Psalm 46 tells us, Be still (stay calm) and know that I am God. And Psalm 27:14 encourages us, Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. In this verse to wait means to wait with trust and hope, for the Lord is watching over the lives and souls of His dear children.
At times of crisis like this, people often turn to the church. Worship attendance tends to increase. But in this unprecedented situation, we find our churches temporarily closed, as they were for a time in 1918.
The doors of the church building may be temporarily closed, but the Gospel is never closed to us. God’s Word is an open book for us to go to in times of trouble, and at all times. So turn daily to God’s Word, and your soul will be renewed; your heart and mind will be strengthened and uplifted to face every challenge with faith, and faith in Christ never lets us down.
Our current situation is a call for each of us to repent and turn to God. Indeed, every situation in life is reason for us to look to God and follow Christ. Ultimately Jesus is the answer to everything; life comes down to trusting, loving, and serving Him.
At Christmas we say that He is the reason for the season. He's the reason for every season. He’s the answer to every challenge. He’s the fulfillment of life, and the power for abundant, spiritual life on earth, and eternal, glorious life in Heaven.
Still, we have this difficult time to get through. And with God, and the prayers of His people, we will!
At times like this we might be tempted to ask ourselves what we’ve done to deserve this. Is God angry at us to allow this to happen? Are we just getting what we deserve?
The amazing thing about being baptized into Christ, and abiding in Him, we don’t get what we deserve – we get what Jesus deserves!
Although we fallen creatures have sinned against our God over and over again, as we repent in faith, trusting in Christ, our God is gracious to forgive, and does NOT give us what we deserve, but gives us what CHRIST deserves.
That’s called the great exchange. On the cross, Jesus took all our sins and burdens upon himself, and He gave us His righteousness. In Baptism, through the gift of faith in Christ, we have that perfect righteousness of Christ to count as our own.
This means we have nothing to fear. As Jesus assures and promises us, Have no fear, little flock, for the Father has chosen to give you the Kingdom.
When trouble comes our way, we might start thinking that God is punishing us for something we’ve done wrong. But Jesus took all our punishment on himself, and when we trust and believe in Him, there’s no punishment left for His dear children to suffer; Jesus took it all upon himself on the cross.
Isaiah 53 tells us that He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Matthew, in chapter 8, verse 7, quoting from Isaiah 53, tells us about Jesus: “He took on our illness and bore our diseases.”
Jesus took on all our sins, and griefs, and troubles, and temptations, and suffered for them all on the cross. Then he shed them all, shook them off as He rose in glory, never again to hurt or suffer or die.
Jesus proved to the world once and for all, that He's greater than sin, and death, and hurt, and trouble, and any disease, and any pandemic!
A virus may invade the body, but not the soul. Your eternal soul is forever safe in Christ. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ! (I Corinthians 15:57)
So in these trying times, let us look to the One Who has conquered every trouble in this fallen world. As Jesus has assured us in John 16:33, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world!
Take heart! You’re under the personal protection of your almighty, merciful Father. By Baptism you abide in the saving grace of His dear Son, Jesus Christ, our loving Lord and Savior, and our best and truest Friend, In the Gospel, your heart is being strengthened every day by the power of the Holy Spirit, and your mind is being filled and comforted with the peace of God that passes understanding.
Have no fear, your God is near, walking beside you, watching over you, keeping you safe from the evil one, giving rest to your soul, peace to your heart, and power to face this challenge with confident faith in Christ.
Let me leave you with an encouragement which I shared in the congregational letter mailed on Thursday. The name of the virus is COVID-19. Remember this acronym and take heart! C – Christ O - Over V – Viruses and I – Infectious D – Diseases 19 - Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
And His peace will guard your heart and mind, in Christ Jesus, our victorious Lord. To Him be all glory, honor, and praise, now and forever! Amen.
Prayers of the Church Dear Heavenly Father, You know our every need, and you care for us as a loving Shepherd. You invite us to call on You at all times. We ask for an extra measure of Your Holy Spirit to be upon Your dear people during this trying time. May we show the benevolent love and power of Christ to the world during this time of global crisis.
Christ, You are greater than sin, death, and the devil, and certainly greater than any disease or virus or pandemic. Your bore all our sin and sickness on the cross, and You shook them all off as you rose victorious from the grave. Help us to focus with faith and hope on the victory that is ours through your glorious resurrection.
We pray, according to Your good and gracious will, that the spread of the virus would slow and stop. Bless all who are infected with comfort and healing. Prevent others from becoming infected. Comfort all who have lost loved ones. We pray that the saving comfort of the Gospel may be known and experienced by all.
Bless all health care workers and first responders, and those who work to find treatments and a vaccine for the virus. Sustain them, guide them, and keep them safe. We pray that there would be sufficient medical facilities, equipment, and medicines for all in need.
Lord, guide us all to be responsible and careful, and to exercise good judgment. Keep us calm, courageous, and at peace, knowing that we, Your dear baptized children, are under Your personal care and spiritual protection.
Lord, we remember all who are ill, or sad, or lonely, or grieving, or hurting in any way, in body, mind, or soul. We name them to You in our hearts… Grant them comfort and healing, according to Your gracious will.
Lord, we give You thanks and praise for Your many blessings upon this world, and upon Your people in body and soul. Make us glad to share Your blessings with others, and to serve the world with joy, especially to bring to all the good news that in Christ there is hope for a fallen world, healing for hurting hearts, and peace for troubled minds.
These and all the prayers of our hearts, we lift up to You, O Christ, for You are greater than any trouble, any disease, any virus, and any pandemic. And so we are bold to pray.
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Benediction The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:11)
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.
Closing Hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God A mighty fortress is our God, A sword and shield victorious; He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod And wins salvation glorious. The old satanic foe Has sworn to work us woe. With craft and dreadful might He arms himself to fight. On earth he has no equal.
No strength of ours can match his might. We would be lost, rejected. But now a Champion comes to fight, Whom God Himself elected. You ask who this may be? The Lord of hosts is He, Christ Jesus, Mighty Lord, God’s only Son adored. He holds the field victorious.
Though hordes of devils fill the land All threat’ning to devour us, We tremble not, unmoved we stand; They cannot overpow’r us. Let this world’s tyrant rage; in battle we’ll engage. His might is doomed to fail; God’s judgment must prevail! One little word subdues him.
God’s word forever shall abide No thanks to foes who fear it; For God Himself fights by our side With weapons of the Spirit. Were they to take our house, goods, honor, child, or spouse, Though life be wrenched away, They cannot win the day; The Kingdom’s ours forever!
Silent Prayer
Take care, be well, and God bless! Pastor Dean