SUCH a present God we have

Psalm 84:8 (MSG)

God-of-the-Angel-Armies, listen:

O God of Jacob, open your ears—I'm praying!

Look at our shields, glistening in the sun,

our faces, shining with your gracious anointing.

Isaiah 25: 1-9 (MSG)

God's Hand Rests on This Mountain

God, you are my God. I celebrate you. I praise you.

[amen!]

You've done your share of miracle-wonders, well-thought-out plans, solid and sure. Here you've reduced the city to rubble, the strong city to a pile of stones. The enemy Big City is a non-city, never to be a city again. Superpowers will see it and honor you, brutal oppressors bow in worshipful reverence. They'll see that you take care of the poor, that you take care of poor people in trouble, Provide a warm, dry place in bad weather, provide a cool place when it's hot. Brutal oppressors are like a winter blizzard and vicious foreigners like high noon in the desert.

But you, shelter from the storm and shade from the sun, shut the mouths of the big-mouthed bullies. But here on this mountain, God-of-the-Angel-Armies will throw a feast for all the people of the world, A feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines, a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts.

And here on this mountain, God will banish the pall of doom hanging over all peoples, The shadow of doom darkening all nations. Yes, he'll banish death forever.  And God will wipe the tears from every face.    He'll remove every sign of disgrace From his people, wherever they are.    Yes! God says so!

Also at that time, people will say,

"Look at what's happened! This is our God! We waited for him and he showed up and saved us!    This God, the one we waited for! Let's celebrate, sing the joys of his salvation.

God's hand rests on this mountain!"

Psalm 3:3 (MSG)

But you, God, shield me on all sides;

You ground my feet, you lift my head high;

With all my might I shout up to God,

His answers thunder from the holy mountain.