We Will Not Fear
01/24/10 AM
Introduction
Recent devastation in Haiti – cheers when relief personnel arrived.
Ill: Casualty and Crisis at sea, thinking versus knowing assistance was there.
Message of Psalm 46, God's people have the assurance of present help.
I. We are secure at all times of difficulty.
A. v1God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
1. God was always there when His people turned to Him. (examples of Old Testament)
By His same grace He is very present for us today. God’s grace has redeemed us.
a. We are born without distinction (deserving no special notice from God.)
2. God has loved us and redeemed us.
a. Jesus has died for us and forgiven us.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Ephesians 2:8,9 (For by grace you have been saved, through faith...)
b. God wants us to be with Him eternally. John 3:16
3. This God of grace is the sinner’s refuge.
B. God by His grace makes us secure.
1. We always stand in GodĀfs love.
a. In times of trouble the Lord graciously helps us.
i. We do not deserve his help.
ii. We expect it only because he has promised it to us.
iii. He is a present help not a distant observer.
2. We are secure in the worst of times.
a. Psalm 46:2-3 This is a great catastrophe.
Actual and metaphorical
Yet God is our refuge and strength.
C. We are secure at all times of difficulty.
1. We have peace with God through Christ.
a. This is a free and undeserved gift of God.
We believe it and receive it.
b. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
2. No calamity can change this fact.
a. No physical difficulty.
No spiritual difficulty.
No catastrophe that may occur to us individually or as a group.
No difficulty of any kind.
i. Nuclear war.
ii. Famine, persecution.
iii. Loss of loved ones.
3. We are secure in God’s grace.
a. We have forgiveness and always stand in God’s love.
We know God will provide deliverance from troubles.
II. We are secure against our enemies. (v4-7)
A. God’s people are secure because God is with them.
1. They are pictured as the city of God.
a. They are glad.
They are refreshed by a cool river.
2. It is so because God is with them.
a. “God is within her.” His city because of His presence.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
This God is powerful and loving.
i. He is the Lord of hosts, almighty ruler of angels and the entire universe.
ii. He is the God of Jacob, faithful to the promises of his love for the salvation of mankind.
3. No enemy can oppose God’s people successfully.
a. Nations and kingdoms cannot destroy the security of God’s people.
B. Believers are secure against their enemies.
1. Our major enemy is Satan who wishes to devour us.
Other enemies are those who oppose God’s grace.
3. These enemies ridicule and persecute believers in Christ.
Believers in Christ are secure.
a. Forgiveness is a gift of God’s grace.
By faith we have the joy and peace found in the God of grace.
b. We have the waters from the river of life to refresh us at every turn. (Revelation 22:1 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,
c. The Lord of hosts and the God of Jacob is with us.
III. We are secure eternally.
A. We are invited to look at Judgment Day.
1. We will note the destruction of sin.
a. Wars will end.
All the weapons of man will be destroyed.
2. We will note that God is exalted.
b. Even those who did not acknowledge Him in time must in eternity.
c. All, believers and unbelievers, will know Him.
For Satan and the unbelievers it is a terrifying knowledge.
B. One day we will be forever with the Lord.
1. He will publicly acknowledge us.
He will invite us to enjoy heaven.
a. “Cease striving” “Be still”
b. Revelation 21:4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
Conclusion
This is our assurance because of God’s grace
We are secure at all times of difficulty
We are secure against all our enemies.
We are secure eternally.
