November 26, 2017
Morning Service

At the completion of an extended study as we just did with the letter to the Romans, there is always the question of where do we go from here?  Do we jump into another book and begin another study or just choose a relevant subject and do a short series?  Either one works, but what do we need to hear, what is relevant for us at this time?  The answer came from the radio.  I heard a message on Psalms chapter 46 and it pertains to the one thing that remains constant in all the unrest and uncertainty that we are experiencing in this world.

 Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever.

·         He is our constant, our foundation, our anchor and our lighthouse.  He never changes.  Our circumstances can change in a heartbeat, but He never changes.  He never loves you less than the day He loved you enough to die upon a cross for your sins. 

·         Psalms 46 brings out three truths that we can stand on in times of trouble, turmoil and even chaos.  David, the author, certainly knew his share of troubles.  Many of these Psalms were written after he was anointed king of Israel, but had to live on the run even living in caves because the current king was seeking to kill him.   Though living constantly under these conditions, he found comfort in knowing these three truths about God. He stood on the truth of how God is our protector, is always present with us, and is all powerful.

Psalms 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  (2)  Therefore we will not fear when the earth changes, and when mountains are slipping into the heart of the seas.  (3)  Let its waters roar and foam; let the mountains shake with the swelling of it. Selah.

·         David described his world at this time as being turned upside down with the earth changing and the mountains slipping into the sea. This could be literal as we may have to face a natural disaster such as the many hurricanes our nation endured this past year.  This could also just be a description of an emotional hurricane that comes from something like a loss of a loved one or some unusual circumstance that causes us much pain, confusion and leaves us with lots of unanswered questions.  Have you been there?  Take comfort in David’s words.

·         God is our refuge and strength and is present in our time of trouble.  A refuge is described as a shelter from a storm; a shield of protection from danger.  Solomon described it like this:

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

·         God is our strong protector and when we run to Him we are safe.  He is not far away, but David says He is “very present help in trouble.”  We that run to Him will not fear because though the world around us is falling apart, He will protect us.  He is our strong tower of refuge and strength.

 

Psalms 46:4-7 There is a river, its channels gladden the city of God glad, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.  (5)  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her at the turning of the morning.  (6)  The nations raged the kingdoms were shaken; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.  (7)  The Lord God of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

·         The river here that David refers to or symbolizes here is the intimate accessibility to God’s presence.  It may point to the future and the River of Life in heaven or it could be a dual meaning referring to the river in the Garden of Eden.  In both places God was and will be openly present and fellowshipping intimately with man.  He is present with us now, in the past and certainly in the future.  Jesus after commanding the apostles to fulfill the Great Commission, made this promise to them and to us.

Matthew 28:19-20  Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  (20)  teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.

·         The Hebrew writer followed this up by restating this way:

Hebrews 13:5  Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, " I will never leave you, nor forsake you!"

·         God promises to be with us at all times.  At the times of trouble it may seem He is far away, but we must trust Him at His word and know even when we don’t feel His presence, He is still there because He promised us that He would be.

Psalms 46:8-11 Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has made desolations on the earth.  (9)  He makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots in the fire.  (10)  Be still, and know that I am God! I will be praised among the nations; I will be praised in the earth.  (11)  The Lord God of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

·         David explains to us that it is the Lord God who is in control of all things.  Natural disasters and wars come and go by His command.  He is the potter and we are the clay.  The world is His.  Paul described His power like this to the Ephesian church.

Ephesians 1:18-23  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,  (19)  and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us, the ones believing according to the working of His mighty strength  (20)  which He worked in Christ in raising Him from the dead, and He seated Him at His right hand in the heavenlies,  (21)  far above all principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name being named, not only in this world, but also in the coming age.  (22)  And He has put all things under His feet and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

·         That describes the God that we serve.  He is “far above all principality, authority, power and dominion.”  That is the power the God who promised to protect us and to be present with us possesses.  So as we find ourselves in those situations that we just don’t understand, do as David challenged us to; “Be still and know that I am God.”

·         The word translated into know there means to have the most thorough and intimate knowledge of and is often called experiential knowledge.  It means that you know that you know that you know.  That kind of knowledge turns away worry because we believe God is in total control and is our protector, ever present, and all powerful.  In closing I will leave you with one of the many truths we learned in Romans; one that we can cling to in times of trouble.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

 

Lord in our time of trouble may You be our strong and mighty tower of refuge and strength protecting us, present with us, and all powerful as You promised us.