God Is Our Refuge
Ps. 46:1
Intro
In a day when our nation stands in danger of terrorist attacks and on-going wars, this psalm, proclaiming that God is our refuge, has a message that is needed.
Each family can be blessed immeasurably if somehow they can enshrine in their home the picture of God contained in this psalm.
Each person stands in need of a refuge, a place of security, when the storms of life beat down.
I. God is our Refuge
a. God is our storm cellar when the tornado comes.
b. God is our fallout shelter when the events of life explode over our heads.
c. God is our high tower when the waves of defeat and disaster beat at our feet.
i. God had been all this to Israel when Rabshakeh and the armies of Sennacherib surrounded the city (Isa. 36:13-15; 37:1, 3-7, 33-36)
Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in Judean and said, “Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria. Thus says the king, “Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you; not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, “The Lord will surely deliver us, this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.”
1 And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the Lord. 3 They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of distress, rebuke and rejection; for children have come to birth, and there is no strength to deliver. Perhaps the Lord your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the Lord your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left.’’ 33 ‘Therefore, thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, ‘He will not come to this city or shoot an arrow there; and he will not come before it with a shield or throw up a siege ramp against it. By the way that he came, by the same he will return, and he will not come to this city,’ declares the Lord. ‘For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’”
d. Every man stands in need of a refuge
i. The pointing finger of an accusing conscience
1. There are times that we need refuge from ourselves
ii. The power of sin within ourselves
1. The power of the flesh is overwhelming at times
2. If we don’t pray and guard up ourselves with Christ we will fall.
iii. The power of the Devil
1. The stronger we become as Christians, the stronger Satan and his fallen angels’ attacks will be.
2. There is not refuge or shelter strong enough to protect from this kind of attack, but the hand of God.
iv. The wrath to come.
1. With the days drawing nearer and nearer to the end, we need not look any further then the book of Revelation to see what is headed right for us.
2. Don’t foul ourselves, it is coming and quickly then you might think.
3. But when you stand on the unshakeable foundation of Christ, you will be unmovable.
II. God is our Strength
a. God provides strength for our infirmities (2 Cor. 12:7-9)
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me – to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implore the Lord three times that it might leave me, and He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
i. How do you think the Apostle Paul continued on in his ministry after some of the beatings he took.
ii. It was God.
b. God provides strength for service (Phil. 4:13)
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
i. You don’t have to be some super hero, to make it through.
ii. You just need to rely on God to strengthen you.
c. God provides strength for our weakness (Isa. 40:29-31)
He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
i. We all have one weakness or another
ii. But God can turn that weakness into a success story, when we lean on him.
III. God is a very present help in trouble
a. A help that is not present when needed is of little value
b. God is present when we seek him (Jer. 29:13)
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
c. God is present when we need him
d. God is present when we have already enjoyed his presence.
i. Once you have God in your heart, He is there to stay.
ii. He doesn’t just show up for a two week revival in your soul and then head on out of town.
IV. God is a very present help
a. God is more present than the nearest friend can be.
i. Friends no matter how great they may seem to be, will let you down over time.
ii. Why, because they are human just like you and me
b. God is always present
i. When you have Christ, you are never alone.
ii. Daniel was not alone when he spent the night in the Lion’s den
iii. The rack brothers where not alone, when they stood in the fire.
c. God is effectively present
i. God is not only present, but effective
ii. God is there to help, not just watch when we let him.
d. God is sympathetically present.
i. God understands your weaknesses and faults, He made you.
ii. God knows that things that you are dealing with, He is with you.
Closing
No one else can trust God for us. No one else can be obedient for us. Our response to him must be immediate and complete.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way.
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Trust God now and obey him day by day, for he is a very present help in trouble.
