Christ: Our Rock and Refuge - Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is an LCMS church preaching Christ crucified for sinners. Located a half mile north of Disneyland at 1421 W. Ball Road in Anaheim, CA.
LCMS Lutheran Church, Prince of Peace Lutheran, Anaheim, Orange County
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05 Nov Christ: Our Rock and Refuge

Posted at 17:11h in From Our Pastor by
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“Philip, let us sing Psalm 46!”

 These are the words Martin Luther would often say to his colleague, Philip Melanchthon, during the sometimes very dark days of the Reformation. When Melanchthon or Luther were downcast, they would belt out the great “battle hymn of the Reformation”– “A Mighty Fortress is our God” written by Luther during a particularly tragic time of loss and struggle in his life. The hymn is based upon the words of Psalm 46.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

 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 her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations 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 chariots 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 of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Ps. 46:1-11

We will too sing the 46th in the words of “A Mighty Fortress” this last Sunday, as well as prayed that psalm during our time of worship. God is our refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble. Can you join your voice to these words? Are they your confession of faith as well? If they are, what do we have to fear? Even if all hell breaks loose, there is a river that makes glad the place where God promises to be; it is the “river of life” of the gospel of Jesus. That river is fed by the stream of his blood shed for you on his cross. It is the living water of the Holy Spirit bringing the life-giving words of Jesus flowing into your ears; it is the life-giving bread of Jesus and the cup of his salvation that flows into your mouth. 

My friends, today is All Saints Day. This Sunday we celebrate the God of Jacob who has been a fortress to all who taken refuge under His Gospel promises, especially those who have died in Christ. Come and join us, to be still together and know that the Lord is God. Let us exalt his name together. Come and flee to the one place of refuge that is an untouchable fortress where you will find peace, and hope,and love that this world can never give. 

Come on, let us sing and live and die under the 46th, for the prayer of that psalm finds its answer in Jesus. 

-Pastor Darrin Sheek



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