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Mar 20, 2011

When Trouble Comes

Passage: Psalms 46:1-11

Category: Faith, Christian Walk

Keywords: faith, fear, overwhelmed, refuge, god's faithfulness

Summary:

God has not promised that the Christian walk would be without crisis… God has not promised that the Christian would not be tempted… God has not promised that the Christian walk would be a peaceful bliss, void of conflict, a peaceful field of daisies nor a quiet pool, serene with tranquility… however, He has promised to not let us walk it alone!!

Detail:

WHEN TROUBLE COMES

Psalm 46

 

“A time of great emergency had risen in my life, when every part of my being seemed to throb with anxiety, and when the necessity for immediate and vigorous action seemed overpowering; and yet circumstances were such that I could do nothing, and the person who could, would not stir” Hannah Whitall Smith (1851-1911)

 

Introduction:

 

God has not promised that the Christian walk would be without crisis…

God has not promised that the Christian would not be tempted…

God has not promised that the Christian walk would be a peaceful bliss, void of conflict, a peaceful field of daisies nor a quiet pool, serene with tranquility… however, He has promised to not let us walk it alone!!

 

[2005 My Walk With Death… I cried for Stability., someone to hold on to]

 

Crisis in Inevitable, but Building Stability takes Knowing God

There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of [God] (the Divinity). It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, "Behold I am wise." But when we come to this master science, finding that our plumbline cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with solemn exclamation, "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing." No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God....

…and, [while] humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout [listener and responder] to the subject of [God] the Godhead.  (C.H. Spurgeon January 7, 1855)

Crisis in Inevitable, but Building Stability takes Knowing God

“Not in the tumult of the rending storm; Not in the earthquake or devouring flame; But in the hush that could all fear transform, The still, small whisper to the prophet came.  O Soul, keep silence on the mount of God, Though cares and needs throb around thee like a sea; From supplications and desires unshod, Be still, and hear what God shall say to thee.”   Mary Rowles Jarvis   

[Stop and Pray and Listen]

[Open your Bibles to Psalms 46]

 

 

1God is our refuge and strength,
         A very present help in trouble.
    2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
         And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
    3Though its waters roar and foam,
         Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
    4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
         The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
    5God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
         God will help her when morning dawns.
    6The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
         He raised His voice, the earth melted.
    7The LORD of hosts is with us;
         The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
    8Come, behold the works of the LORD,
         Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
    9He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
         He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
         He burns the chariots with fire.
    10"Cease striving and know that I am God;
         I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
    11The LORD of hosts is with us;
         The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.                                 

Crisis in Inevitable, but Building Stability takes Knowing God

Let’s journey through this passage this morning and come to grip with (3) Life Changing Principles that will:

Build Stability in our Lives in the Midst of Inevitable Crisis!!

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#1:  When we Feel Vulnerable, God (Elohim) remains our Refuge!!

“God is our refuge and strength. Not our armies, or our fortresses. Israel's boast is in Jehovah, the only living and true God. Others vaunt their impregnable castles, placed on inaccessible rocks, and secured with gates of iron, but God is a far better refuge from distress than all these: and when the time comes to carry the war into the enemy's territories, the Lord stands his people in better stead than all the valour of legions or the boasted strength of chariot and horse. Soldiers of the cross, remember this, and count yourselves safe, and make yourselves strong in God. Forget not the personal possessive word our; make sure each one of your portion in God, that you may say, "He is my refuge and strength." Neither forget the fact that God is our refuge just now, in the immediate present, as truly as when David penned the word. God alone is our all in all. All other refuges are refuges of lies, all other strength is weakness, for power belongeth unto God: but as God is all sufficient, our defence and might are equal to all emergencies. A very present help in trouble, or in distress he has so been found, he has been tried and proved by his people. He never withdraws himself from his afflicted. He is their help, truly, effectually, constantly; he is present or near them, close at their side and ready for their succour, and this is emphasized by the word very in our version, he is more present than friend or relative can be, yea, more nearly present than even the trouble itself. To all this comfortable truth is added the consideration that his assistance comes at the needed time. He is not as the swallows that leave us in the winter; he is a friend in need and a friend indeed. When it is very dark with us, let brave spirits say, "Come, let us sing the forty-sixth Psalm."    Treasury of David

 

 

1God is our refuge and strength,
         A very present help in trouble.
    2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
         And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
    3Though its waters roar and foam,
         Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

I like what Stuart Briscoe says…  (Based on “God is… and a very present help”)

1.  God is Continually Available…(Never Leaves)

            “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the      Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

            “For the LORD will not abandon His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.” Psalm 94:14

2.  God is Thoroughly Adequate… (Faithful)

                    "The LORD your God is in your midst,
             A victorious warrior
             He will exult over you with joy,
             He will be quiet in His love,
             He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17

                    Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.
            The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every   morning; Great is Your Faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:20-23

3.   God is Never Overwhelmed with Circumstances

“,,,though the earth should change
         And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
    3Though its waters roar and foam,
         Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride”

When we Feel Vulnerable, God (Elohim) remains our Refuge!!

#2:  When we Find ourselves Alone in the Battle, God remains Resident!!

            “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in     the midst of her, she will not be moved”

            A Reminder of God’s Presence in Us  (Colossians 1:24-29)

Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

 

            A Reminder of God’s Power in Us

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

            A Reminder of God’s Invitation to Us

“Come, behold the works of the LORD,
         Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
    He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
         He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
         He burns the chariots with fire.


When we Find ourselves Alone in the Battle, God remains Resident!!

#3:  When we Experience the Drought of the Desert, God Remains!!!

            "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
            The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah”          

            God doesn’t Change, God won’t Change, God will still be exalted among the nations

            God will still exalted in the earth. God will remain with us!!!

            God will remain as our Stronghold!!

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            Let’s Consider David’s Plight!!  (Psalm 63)

A.         The background for this Ps is David’s tragic life.

            1. He wrote this psalm as he was fleeing from his son Absalom was seeking to murder him and take                           over his kingdom.
            2. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he opened the door for sin to ravage his family—                             and it did.
            3. His son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar
            4. Absalom in revenge for his sister’s rape killed Amnon.
            5. For years David banished him and refused to forgive him or speak to him.
            6. Now Absalom has gathered an army and is out to kill his father David and take over his kingdom.
            7. David flees for his life—not knowing if he will lose everything—even his life.


 

B.         David describes his devastation. (1-2)

            1. He is thirsty for God!
                        *There is a deep longing in his soul.
                        *There is an aching.
                        *He is hurting—crying.
                                    —his own son wants to murder him
                                    —to take over his kingdom
                        *Like a man stranded in the desert—dying of thirst, David thirst for God.
            2. He yearns for God.
                        *He longs for God
                        *There is a deep longing in his soul for God
                        *His life is falling apart
                        *he is fleeing as a fugitive for his life
                        *He says “O, God, You are my God, I seek you earnestly, I long for you.”
            3. David is spiritually dry and weary—
                        “In a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
                        *As David looks out over the barren, desolate, dry Judean Wilderness—he thinks “That’s what                              my soul is like.”

*”God, I am dying here, my soul is dry, I am weary—tired—ready to quit!
Taken from Notes: “Finding God In Your Devastation by Dr. A.T. Stewart”

When we Experience the Drought of the Desert, God Remains!!!

"Cease striving (Stop Fighting) and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah”

 7For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
    8My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalms 63:7

 

God has not promised that the Christian walk would be without crisis…

God has not promised that the Christian would not be tempted…

God has not promised that the Christian walk would be a peaceful bliss, void of conflict, a peaceful field of daisies nor a quiet pool, serene with tranquility… however, He has promised to not let us walk it alone!!

 

 

 

Crisis in Inevitable, but Building Stability takes Knowing God

Do you know this God… have you experienced Him in your life…

Do you find comfort in Him?

Let’s Pray!