Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather here today, we find ourselves in the midst of a world that seems to be in constant turmoil. The news headlines are filled with stories of conflict, disaster, and uncertainty. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, to feel as if the ground beneath our feet is shifting and unstable. But in these moments, we are called to remember a fundamental truth of our faith - that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Let's take a moment to quiet our hearts and minds, to set aside the worries and fears that may be weighing on us. Let's open ourselves to the presence of God, here in this place, in this moment. Let's invite Him into our hearts, into our thoughts, into our fears and uncertainties. Let's allow His peace to wash over us, to calm our troubled hearts, to remind us of His unending love and protection.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts that are heavy and minds that are filled with worry. We see the troubles of the world, the pain and suffering, the uncertainty and fear, and we are overwhelmed. But we know that You are greater than any trouble we face. You are our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble. We ask that You would fill us with Your peace, that You would remind us of Your love, that You would strengthen our faith in Your protection. We pray all this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today, we turn our attention to the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 46. The Psalmist writes, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." (Psalm 46:1-3, NIV)

These words, written thousands of years ago, speak to us today with a message of hope and assurance. They remind us that no matter what we face, no matter how great the challenges or how overwhelming the troubles, God is with us. He is our refuge, our place of safety. He is our strength, giving us the courage and resilience to face whatever comes our way. And He is ever-present, always with us, never leaving us or forsaking us.

Imagine, if you will, a towering lighthouse standing firm and unyielding against the raging sea. The waves crash against it, the wind howls around it, but it stands firm. It is a beacon of light in the darkness, a guide for those lost at sea. This is the image the Psalmist paints of God - our lighthouse in the storm, our beacon of hope in the darkness.

As we continue in our worship service today, let's keep this image in our minds. Let's remember that no matter what we face, God is our lighthouse. He is our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble. And with Him, we have nothing to fear.

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3

In the midst of life's storms, there's a beacon of hope that shines brightly, a lighthouse guiding us safely to shore. That beacon, that lighthouse, is our God. He is our refuge, our strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble. This is the heart of Psalm 46.

Let's unpack this a bit.

First, God is our refuge. The word "refuge" paints a picture of a safe place, a sanctuary, a shelter from the storm. When the winds of life are howling, when the waves are crashing, we can run to God. He is our refuge. He is the place where we find safety and security. He is the place where we can rest and find peace.

But God is not just our refuge. He is also our strength. When we are weak, He is strong. When we are tired, He gives us energy. When we are discouraged, He gives us courage. He is the source of our strength, the one who gives us the power to face whatever comes our way.

And then there's this beautiful phrase: "an ever-present help in trouble." The word "ever-present" in the original Hebrew is "matsa," which means to find, to discover, to come upon. It suggests that God is not just present, but He is actively present. He is not just there, but He is there for us. He is there to help us, to support us, to comfort us, to guide us.

As the great theologian Charles Spurgeon once said, "God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart."

This brings us to two more important points.

First, God's help is not just for the big crises of life. It's for the everyday challenges as well. It's for the small disappointments, the minor setbacks, the little frustrations. God cares about every detail of our lives. He is there to help us in every situation, big or small.

Second, God's help is not just for the future. It's for the here and now. It's for the present moment. God is not just the God of tomorrow, He is the God of today. He is not just the God of the future, He is the God of the present. He is here with us, right now, ready to help us, ready to strengthen us, ready to be our refuge.

So, in the face of fear, in the midst of chaos, we can trust God. We can rely on Him. We can find comfort and peace in His presence. Because He is our refuge, our strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble.

The Assurance of God's Protection

In the midst of life's storms, there is a city that cannot be shaken. It's a place of refuge, a sanctuary of peace. This city is not built with human hands, but by the divine architect of the universe. It's the city of God, where His presence dwells. And just as a river brings joy to this city, so does God's protection bring joy and assurance to our lives.

God is our fortress. He is the Lord Almighty, the one who stands with us in the face of adversity. When trouble comes, we can trust in His protection. We can trust in His power to shield us from harm and provide a way of escape.

Let's consider three truths about God's protection.

First, God's protection is constant. It's not sporadic or occasional. It's not dependent on our performance or our circumstances. It's a constant, unchanging reality. Psalm 46:5 says, "God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day." God's protection is not just for the daytime when things are going well. It's also for the night, when we're facing the darkest hours of our lives.

Second, God's protection is comprehensive. It covers every area of our lives. It's not limited to our physical well-being, but also extends to our emotional and spiritual health. Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Whether we're facing physical danger, emotional distress, or spiritual attack, God is our refuge. He is our strength. He is our ever-present help.

Third, God's protection is certain. It's not a mere possibility or a hopeful wish. It's a sure and certain reality. Psalm 46:7 says, "The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." God is not just a distant observer. He is with us. He is our fortress. He is our sure defense.

Now, let's turn our attention to a New Testament passage that echoes the theme of Psalm 46. In John 16:33, Jesus says, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Just like in Psalm 46, Jesus assures us of His protection in troubled times. He acknowledges the reality of trouble in this world, but He also gives us a reason to take heart. He has overcome the world. He has triumphed over every form of trouble we could possibly face.

This leads us to two more truths about God's protection.

First, God's protection is victorious. It's not a defensive stance, but a victorious triumph. Jesus has overcome the world. He has defeated sin, death, and the devil. He has triumphed over every form of trouble we could possibly face. And because we are in Christ, we share in His victory. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Second, God's protection is reassuring. It's not a source of fear, but a source of comfort. Jesus says, "Take heart!" He doesn't say, "Be afraid!" He doesn't say, "Worry!" He says, "Take heart!" Why? Because He has overcome the world. Because He is with us. Because He is our fortress. Because His protection is constant, comprehensive, certain, victorious, and reassuring.

So, in the midst of life's storms, let's remember the city that cannot be shaken. Let's remember the river that brings joy. Let's remember the fortress that stands strong. Let's remember the Lord Almighty who is with us. Let's remember the God of Jacob who is our fortress. Let's remember the Jesus who has overcome the world. And let's take heart, knowing that we are under the constant, comprehensive, certain, victorious, and reassuring protection of God.

The Call to Be Still and Know

In the midst of life's storms, when the winds of adversity blow and the waves of uncertainty crash around us, there is a voice that rises above the tumult. It is a voice that calls us to stillness, to quietness, to a place of peace and rest. This voice is the voice of God, and His call to us is simple yet profound: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

The first thing we need to understand about this call is that it is not a suggestion, but a command. God is not merely inviting us to be still; He is instructing us to do so. This is not a passive stillness, but an active one. It is a stillness that requires us to cease our striving, to let go of our fears, and to surrender our anxieties into His capable hands. It is a stillness that demands our trust, our faith, and our complete reliance on God.

This brings us to our first point of emphasis: Trusting in God's protection. The psalmist declares, "The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress" (Psalm 46:11, NIV). This is not a mere statement of fact, but a declaration of faith. It is a proclamation of trust in the protective power of God. The God of Jacob, the God who protected Jacob in his time of need, is the same God who is with us today. He is our fortress, our stronghold, our place of safety and security. He is the one who shields us from harm, who guards us from danger, and who keeps us safe in His care.

In a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, it was found that individuals who have a strong faith in God tend to have lower levels of anxiety and stress. This is because faith in God provides a sense of security and stability, a feeling of being protected and cared for. When we trust in God, we are essentially saying, "I know that God is in control, and I believe that He will take care of me."

A.W. Tozer, a renowned Christian author, once said, "Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God." This quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of trusting in God's protection. When we gaze upon God, when we fix our eyes on Him, we see a God who is able to save, to deliver, to protect. We see a God who is mighty in power, abundant in love, and infinite in wisdom. And as we gaze upon this God, our faith is strengthened, our trust is deepened, and our fears are calmed.

The second point of emphasis is the knowledge of God's sovereignty. To "know" that He is God is to acknowledge His supreme authority and control over all things. It is to recognize that He is the Creator of the universe, the Ruler of all nations, and the Lord of our lives. It is to understand that He is not just a distant deity, but a personal God who is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives.

In a research article published in the Journal of Psychology and Theology, it was noted that individuals who have a strong belief in the sovereignty of God tend to have a greater sense of peace and contentment. This is because the knowledge of God's sovereignty provides a sense of order and purpose, a feeling of being part of a larger plan. When we know that God is in control, we can rest assured that He is working all things together for our good.

In conclusion, the call to be still and know that He is God is a call to trust in His protection and to acknowledge His sovereignty. It is a call to find peace in His presence, to find rest in His care, and to find hope in His promises. It is a call to be still, to be quiet, to be at peace. And as we heed this call, as we learn to be still and know that He is God, we will find the assurance, the comfort, and the peace that we so desperately need in these troubled times.

Conclusion

As we draw to a close on this sermon about Trusting God from Psalm 46, let's take a moment to reflect on the key messages we've unpacked. We've been reminded of God's unwavering protection in times of trouble. We've seen that His presence is unshakeable, His power is unmatched, and His call to be still and know Him brings peace to our souls.

In the face of life's uncertainties, we've been encouraged to hold fast to the truth that God is our refuge and strength. We've been challenged to find assurance in His protection and to trust Him wholeheartedly.

In the coming week, let's strive to be more like Jesus. Let's emulate His trust in the Father, His obedience even in the face of adversity, and His unwavering faith. Let's remember that, like Jesus, we too can find strength and peace in the assurance of God's protection.

Let's also remember to extend this trust to others. Let's share the peace we've found in God's protection with those around us. Let's be a beacon of hope and assurance in a world that so desperately needs it.

As we go about our week, let's keep Psalm 46 in our hearts. Let's remember that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Let's remember that we need not fear, for God is with us.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the assurance of Your protection in troubled times. We ask that You help us to trust You completely and find solace in Your unchanging presence. Strengthen our faith and grant us the courage to face our fears with confidence, knowing that You are our refuge and strength.

May Your peace that surpasses all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. May we be more like Jesus in the coming week, trusting in You and extending that trust to others. In His name, we pray. Amen.

As we depart from this place, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Go forth with the assurance of God's protection, knowing that He is always with you. Remember to be more like Jesus, trusting in God and extending that trust to others.

May you find peace in His presence, strength in His protection, and joy in His love. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.

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