FORTRESS
Certain Hope for Uncertain Times
March 15, 2020

The Stockdale Paradox:

Retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties AND AT THE SAME TIME confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they may be.

Is Jesus Asleep? Doesn’t He Care?

35 On that day, when evening had come, He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.”

36 So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. And other boats were with Him.

37 A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.

38 But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?”

41 And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!” —Mark 4:35-41 (HCSB)

MARTIN LUTHER’S MIGHTY FORTRESS

1 God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.

2 Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah

4 There is a river—
its streams delight the city of God,
the holy dwelling place of the Most High.

5 God is within her; she will not be toppled.
God will help her when the morning dawns.

6 Nations rage, kingdoms topple;
the earth melts when He lifts His voice.

7 The Lord of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

8 Come, see the works of the Lord,
who brings devastation on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease throughout the earth.
He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces;
He burns up the chariots.

10 “Stop your fighting — and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”

11 Yahweh of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah —Psalm 46:1-11 (HCSB)

So, let’s find refuge in our fortress — in our faith and connection to God.

You can have certain hope in uncertain times when you place your hope in God.

A mighty fortress is our God.