We know that God is always with us. That truth is easy to embrace when all is going well in our lives. But when troubles come and when the earth gets shaky beneath our feet, God can feel far away. These are the times we need to cling to his promise that he is with us, closer than our breath, whether we can feel his presence or not.
God is here, God is near
23 January 2022 • Pastor Peter Steicke • for the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany
Bible Passage: Psalm 46
+ expand1 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.
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.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
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 with fire.
10 He says, “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
New International Version (NIV) - for other versions see BibleGateway.com
