My Refuge In Times Of Trouble

Our Refuge

Psalms 46:1-3

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

“If, indeed the Lord be our refuge and strength, we are entitled to seek after a spirit which shall bear us above the dreads of common men.”

When the tides of tribulations come roaring into one’s life and “our men lose their hope of a future and purpose, you’ll surely watch them die a slow death in front of you.” While humanity has always been worried about the ways in which this world might end such as global warming, asteroid hitting the earth, engineered diseases, nuclear war, overpopulation or robot takeovers; nothing instills fear into the heart as quick as having to “live” with an inescapable threat to one’s own personal livelihood, mind or body! When the “worldly” solutions of money, fame, power and the creativity of one’s mind fail to provide the means of escape, where can one go to find refuge for one’s soul? During the dark and dangerous periods of the Reformation Martin Luther found in Psalms 46 the answer to this question … refuge is found in the Lord! “A sense of nearness and graciousness of God is the antidote to fear,” for in His sovereignty He promises to not only do good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28) but to grant them strength, endurance and peace that surpasses all understanding! While non-believers might not see the logic of having faith in One who cannot be seen, though saints might get perplexed (2 Corinthians 4:8-12) they need not fear any peril because they can always run to their ever present Father to find divine protection, strength and refuge! The following sermon is going to focus first on the false refuge of the things of this world and finish with what refuge in God looks like.

False Refuge in the Things of this World

For many people in this world security against the unknown comes from acquiring an abundance of earthly stuff. To insure against tribulation many people acquire fat bank accounts, lush stock portfolios and all sorts of other tangible assets. Others find security in obtaining specialized skill sets or personal talents that are in high demand and yet others find security in family, friends or business connections. And when in need some will even find their security in their ability to “break down, divide, destroy, disintegrate” or steal the assets of others. The Bible says that only a fool would seek such earthly things as security for an unknown future because they are only temporary and are unable to protect oneself from the greatest tribulations of life (Matthew 6:19-21). No amount of money, specialized training, or privileged relationships can ensure one against heartbreak, failure, sin, disease or worldly disasters such as the Coronus virus the world is facing right now! In a parable of the rich fool Jesus stated that finding security in earthly possessions is vanity because upon death no one takes their earthly riches with them nor do they provide any help when facing God’s judgement (Luke 12:13-21)!

True Refuge is Found in God

We will never know what true strength and peace is until we believe in and trust that our God oversees everything, and can do anything! Luther stated the reason he sang Psalms 46 when facing tribulations was “because God is with us and powerfully and miraculously preserves and defends His church and His word against fanatical spirits, against the gates of hell, against the implacable hatred of Satan, and against all assaults of the world, the flesh and sin.” True peace of mind does not arise from one’s own personal self-sufficiency, but is freely granted to God’s children when they draw nearer to His presence (James 4:8). While it is true that God is indivisible present everywhere always (Psalms 139), we as His children are not always willing to listen, see or obey Him. “God’s word and ordinances are rivers and streams with which God makes His saints glad in dark cloudy days” and the gentle whisper of His voice can calm the fiercest storms of fear raging in one’s heart! If only we would be still (verse 10), pray, learn from and obey God we would no longer store treasures up on earth as insurance but instead rejoice for we would have faith beyond any doubt that our future is known and secured by Christ Jesus our Lord!

True Refuge in God Eliminates Fear

It is one thing to confess or know that God is our refuge it is quite another “to bring our hearts to feel that confessed security is monumental!” Fear is often the companion of uncertainty but even more so when the magnitude of one’s calamities threatens one’s very own life. In today’s passage the Psalmist states that “even if human existence would be threatened with dissolution” by the return of precreation chaotic waters that topple the mountains into the heart of the sea, believers will fear not because our God would still be sovereign! When we allow memories of past deliverances and “immediate enjoyment of divine help” to flood into our souls, fear is swallowed up solely by faith in our Creator. This kind of unshakeable faith is attainable for any believer who not only remembers who God is, our sovereign Creator, but who God is to us, our refuge and strength. Praise be to God that no calamity will separate us from the love of God that says “I have always known you (Psalms 139) and will never allow you to experience trials without My peace (Philippians 4:7). No matter what happens My children are joint heirs with Christ and will spend eternity with Me in paradise (John 3:16).” Because God is present as the refuge of His people, it is unreasonable for His children to fear anything!