The Power of our God, Here and Everywhere

Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Barry’s Message, April 23, 2023 Psalm 48
The Power of Our God, Here and Everywhere

Introduction: The focus of Psalm 48 is on the great King, set in Zion, the mount of our God. Jerusalem is an image or reminder of God’s power. We learn that His power is expansive.

1. The Lord’s Power Is Supreme (1-3): We praise Him in the city for His greatness.

   Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.
   Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress.

   It is God who makes Mount Zion great, it is He who makes her beautiful, the joy of the whole earth. The fact that the power of the Lord is supreme is where this psalm begins.

   O Lord our God, we praise You for Your greatness! May Your church shine with Your beauty.

2. The Lord’s Presence Is Power (4-8): We testify in the city of His power.

   For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together.
   As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight. Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor.
   By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.
   As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts,
   in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah

   Enemies have come against God’s people and have surrounded the city. But when the Lord is present, His power is present. Safety comes from the Lord.

   O Lord our God, You have won the victory for us! Please help us testify of Your mighty salvation.

3. The Lord’s Presence and Power Are Expansive (9-11): We rejoice in the city because of His worldwide fame.

   We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.
   Your right hand is filled with righteousness. Let Mount Zion be glad!
   Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments!

   God is not restricted to the temple. He is there to dwell with His people, but He is not there only. As Solomon said when he dedicated the temple, God fills all the heavens and earth. His intervention in the world extends from Jerusalem to everywhere in the world.

   O God, help us rejoice in Your steadfast love and Your righteousness, known throughout the earth!

4. The Lord Is Faithful (12-14): We trust Him in the city because of His constancy.

   Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

   Look at the walls of your city to remember not the city’s strength, but the strength the city represents: the strength of God who is present and powerful. He is our God; He is present with us here and now. He is the One who guides us, and always will.

   O Lord our God, You are forever faithful. Help us pass on our faith to the coming generations.