Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 19, 2023: SOAP #4976: 2Kings 17; 2Chronicles 28; Psalm 46; James 3

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives 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. Selah
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….
7 The Lord Almighty is with us… 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

OBSERVATION:  Verse one does not say that the Lord will provide a refuge; He will not show us where to go for safety; He will not send a strong angel to be with us. No. No! NO!   God IS our refuge and strength.  God is our EVER-PRESENT (ALWAYS THERE) help!  

He has not made a fortress for us into which we can run!  NO!  He is our fortress! (vs 11.) 

NOTE: All the promises in this Psalm are tied to His presence!   

APPLICATION:  I do not need to convince God to be present with me.  I do not have the power or authority to force Him to be with me.  He is omnipresent, everywhere present.  He is the ever-present help mentioned in verse one above.  He is with me!!! 

My task is to keep myself aware of His presence!   I must not let my awareness of God be buried under the pressures of the day. 

Memorizing scriptures, singing praise and worship songs, having a conversation with a friend about God and what He has recently done—with these and many other ways I can keep myself aware of the presence of God! 

PRAYER:  Lord, I am not asking for you to go with me today.  I am asking permission to go with you!  Help me walk in an awareness that I am with you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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