A Study of Psalm 46
Psalm 46
Introduction
- Wed night format; opportunity to study together from our homes
-- Re: Invite someone else to join in - not an exclusive study for "just LFC"
- Psalms are songs of praise and words of encouragement/warning
-- They are also written to give us guidance and encouragement to live for God
- Today's Psalm is about the ability and power of God
- Read Psalm 46:1-11/ Pray
Point 1 - God is our Refuge
- Truth: I could preach verse 1 for hours … lots here but I'll simplify
God is all-powerful (v1a)
- Identified as God - FACT: only God has unlimited power
" This is a refusal to conform to thinking God is one of us
" He is sovereign, above us, over us, and creator of us
- Pay attention to the traits:
" Refuge - place of protection
" Strength - powerful, able to defend, capable of rescue
- Psalmist then describes God as all-present (v1b)
-- He is able to be everywhere at once … without limitations
-- How is this possible?
- Consider Genesis 1:3-5, "And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night."
And there was evening, and there was morning - the first day."
- Time limits us (we hate waiting or we want to speed things up)
-- APP: God set the standard we know as time by creating it; He defined it
-- Therefore, He is all-present because He is outside of the constraint of it
- Then, Psalmist further defines God as all-protecting (v2-3)
- We are called not to fear; not to worry; not to fret about things around us
" Though the earth moves
" Though the mountains fall
" Though the seas roar
" Though the mountains quake
- CHALL: This is tough for many to really accept
-- We know it, we may even teach it, but sometimes we lack ability to live it
- TRUTH: Regardless of what happens, we will not fear b/c God is in control
- This is a life application verse:
-- When the sickness comes; when the uncertainty comes, even when death comes
-- We are to know that God is in control
- IMP: It is not "blind faith" (as many say it is) … it is "certain faith"
- FACT: My hope and trust are in a God who has never failed me
Point 2 - God satisfies, sustains, and protects His people
" God satisfies his people (v4)
- God provides streams of sufficient provision
- In Jerusalem, there is a stream called the stream of Siloam
- It provided water for the entire city; and was the only water supply
- The inhabitants are satisfied in God providing this for them
" God sustains his people (v5-6)
- The city stands firm on the protection of God
- Even in the face of certain attack (nations in uproar)
- God's voice is capable of defeating any enemy
- When it comes to safety, God sustains his people where they are
" God saves his people (v7)
- When Psalmist uses "The Lord Almighty", literally means "Lord of Hosts"
- We know that God will guard His city from attack; protect His people
-Confesses: God is our fortress; He protects us from the wicked
- APP: If God will protect this city who's faithful to Him …
-- Won't He likewise protect you if you are living faithfully for Him?
-- The answer is YES! God protects those that are His … called to His purpose
Point 3 - God's victory is overwhelming
" God works judiciously (v8-9)
- Once the battle had ended, Psalmist invites all to come and see
- God enforces peace within His people because He has won the victory
- Re: His voice silences the enemy … thus, they are defeated
- War cease to continue - he breaks the bow of those attacking
- He defeats enemies who rage against His people … burns fields (livelihood)
" God reigns supremely (v10)
- This is not a command for us to consider and think about it
- This is a call of redemption for us to surrender to Him as God
- Consider Zephaniah 1:7, "Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near."
- APP: Come and know God before you too are faced with His judgment
" God protects powerfully (v11)
- Repeat of verse 7 … Repeat is an amplification of earlier declaration
- God brings destruction so that the nations would know who He is
- It is so that the nations would praise/exalt Him as sovereign and holy defender
- Lord Almighty used here is Jehovah Sabaoth - Lord of Hosts
" God of the armies of earth, or,
" God of the armies of the stars, or,
" God of the unseen armies of angels
- Consider Psalmists implication: God of all of these things is our protector!
Big Idea: What more could any of us want or need?
- Tonight, I think we will just end and allows this question to sit with us …
- Pray for faithfulness to the Lord who is our defender
- Exodus continues this Sunday, join us as we worship and celebrate / TY
* Special thanks to Holman Old Testament Commentary for the foundational outline of this sermon.
