God Is In Trouble

Sun Evening Message 4-25-04

GOD IS IN TROUBLE

Psa. 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Illust. Little Boy’s Prayer........God please take care of yourself because if anything happens to you we’re in a world of trouble !

I want you to know tonight that God is in trouble ! Meaning that whenever we are in trouble...he is with us. He is as the Psalmist says...."a very present help in trouble"

I. God Is In Trouble To Be Our Shelter ! V. 1

God is our refuge......

Psa 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him : God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psa 91:1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him I trust.

Psa. 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Song: Rock of Ages written by Augustus Toplady, a great preacher who was afflicted with sickness most of his life. He died at the age of 38, and his final words were........ My heart beats every day stronger and stronger for glory. Sickness is no affliction, pain no cause, death itself no dissolution... My prayers are now all converted into praise.

When we are in trouble, the Lord is in there with us, and we can find the shelter from the storms of life !

Catherine Booth-"The waters are rising, but so am I. I am not going under, but over." There may be times when the storms come, and the flood waters rise, and we’re standing on our tippy toes straining to keep our head under water...but God will be there, and will lift us up above the waters ! He is our shelter !

a. he is our shelter in the storm of stress.

"No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today"

Someone has said..."Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday."

Let us hear, and heed the words of Jesus.

Matt 6:25-33

b. he is our shelter in the storm of sorrow.

It is often in the midst of sorrow that we sense God’s presence greatest. I have witnessed scores of people who had untold sorrows, but found God’s grace sufficient ! In the times of sorrow, he will come. He will be our refuge.

c. he is our shelter in the storm of solitude.

You remember the old song: "No Never Alone" Oh....how true it is !

1. I’ve seen the lightning flashing and heard the thunder roll;

I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, trying to conquer my soul;I’ve heard the voice of my Savior telling me still to fight on;

He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.

Refrain:

No, never alone! No, never alone!

He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone!

No never alone! No, never alone!

He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.

2. The world’s fierce winds are blowing temptations sharp and keen;

I feel a peace in knowing my Savior stands between;

He stands to shield me from danger when earthly friends are gone;

He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.

3. When in affliction’s valley I’m treading the road of care,

My Savior helps me to carry my cross when heavy to bear,

My feet, entangled with briars ready to cast me down,

My Savior whispers His promise, "I never will leave thee alone."

II. God Is In Trouble To Be Our Strength.

a. by his strength he will guide us.

Exo 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strengh unto thy holy habitation.

b. by his strength he will gird us.

Psa 18:32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Psa 18:39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

The word "gird" means to bind in such a way that it will not come apart. Sometimes we may feel that we’re coming apart, but God is in strength will bind us together so that we do not fall apart !

c. by his strength he will galvanize us.

Psa 138:3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.