DIVINE RESOURCES FOR LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 46:2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help
her, and that right early. 46:6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
It is not possible now to ascertain the occasion on which the psalm was written. It was evidently in view of trouble, or of some impending calamity; apparently some national calamity, or some time when the nation was in danger, and when it was felt that their only refuge — their last hope — was in God. It would seem to be not improbable that the psalm was composed when wars were ragtag abroad in the earth; when the nations were convulsed; and when Jerusalem itself was besieged and threatened with
ruin. The main thought of the psalm — the central idea in it — is, that, amidst these general and far-spreading agitations and convulsions among the nations of the earth, the people of God were safe. They had nothing to fear, even though those convulsions and agitations should be multiplied and increased; even though they should be carried so far that the very foundations of the earth should be shaken, and the mountains removed and carried into the midst of the sea. There was to them an Infinite Protector;
there were unfailing sources of peace; they had nothing to dread. It was their duty, therefore, to be calm, still, confiding, for God would be exalted among the nations of the earth. Barnes’ Notes
On October 31, 1517, Dr. Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses on the door of the church at Wittenburg, Germany. The result was what historians call the Reformation, an attempt to bring the truth of salvation by faith back to the hearts of the people. Out of the Reformation came a return not only to Biblical doctrine, but also to the singing of hymns in the churches. Martin Luther was an accomplished musician himself and used music to express his faith and teach his people. “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is the one song more than any other we associate with this great man and his work. Warren W. Wiersbe
This psalm has been called Luther’s Psalm. It was that which he was accustomed to sing in trouble. When the times were dark; when the enemies of truth appeared to triumph; when disaster seemed to come over the cause in which he was engaged, and the friends of the Reformation were disspirited, disheartened, and sad, he was accustomed to say to his fellow-laborers, “Come, let us sing the 46th Psalm.” Barnes’ Notes
This psalm encourages us to hope and trust in God, and His power, and providence, and gracious presence with his church in the worst of times, and directs us to give him the glory of what he has done for us and what he will do: Matthew Henry
I. WE NEED NOT FEAR; WE HAVE A REFUGE
A. In the Person of God:
1. There is a place of refuge.
a. God is for us as a place to which we may flee for safety; a source of strength to us in danger. The first word, “refuge,” from a verb meaning to “flee,” and then “to flee to”— or to take shelter in — denotes a place to which one would flee in time of danger — as a lofty wall; a high tower; a fort; a fortress. Barnes’ Notes
b. Literally, “a place of trust” JFB
2. Scriptures of significance.
a. Deuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”
This type is used to describe the rest, peace and safety of the child of God who, in the midst of the storms of life, flies to the secret place of prayer and there leans upon the breast of his loving Lord. A Dictionary of Bible Types
b. Psalm 142:4 “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. 142:5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.”
All human devices and plans fail to bring security and peace. David wrote this Psalm while he was in a cave fleeing from Saul. His heart was resting in the Lord, not in the darkness of the cave. A Dictionary of Bible Types
c. II Samuel 22:2 “And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my
deliverer; 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence.”
David did not trust in his army, nor in the caves, nor the wilderness, nor men. He trusted only in the protecting care of God. A Dictionary of Bible Types
d. Proverbs 14:26 “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”
As David, Moses and others of God's great men found a shelter from the storm in the protecting care of God, so this wise man assures us that that protection may be ours also. A Dictionary of Bible Types
e. Isaiah 4:6 “And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.”
God provides in Himself, and for Himself, all the protection from the storms of life that the believer needs. A Dictionary of Bible Types
3. There is strength. (In the Person of God.)
a. Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth
into it, and is safe.”
The word “strength” implies that God is the source of strength to those who are weak and defenseless; or that we may rely on his strength “as if” it were our own; or that we may feel as safe in his strength as though we had that strength ourselves. We may make it the basis of our confidence as really as though the strength resided in our own arm. Barnes’ Notes
b. Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
4. There is help. (“a very present help” v. 1; in the Person of God)
a. Literally, “a help He has been found exceedingly.” JFB
b. A very present help The word “help” here means aid, assistance. The word “trouble” would cover all that can come upon us which would give us anxiety or sorrow. The word rendered “present” — ax;m; — means rather, “is found,” or “has been found;” that is, he has “proved” himself to be a help in trouble. The word “present,” as if he were near to us, or close by us, does not accurately express the idea, which is rather, that “he has been found” to be such, or that he has always “proved” himself to be such a help, and that, therefore, we may now confide in him. The word “very,” or “exceedingly,” is added to qualify the whole proposition, as if this were “emphatically true.” It was true in the most eminent sense that God had always been found to be such a helper, and, “therefore,” there was nothing to fear in the present distress. Barnes’ Notes
c. We do not run to Him to hide; we run to Him for help. He hides us that He might help us back into the battle that we might accomplish His will in this world. God does not hide us to pamper us, but to prepare us. He strengthens us that He might use us. W. W. W.
B. We Need Not Fear (v. 2)
1. Though the earth be removed (changed physically, etc).
a. This may either mean, Though the earth should change its place or its very structure in these convulsions; or, though it should perish altogether. Barnes’
b. Nothing moves or changes God!!!!! W. W. W.
c. God is not affected by the convulsions of society or the confusion of government. He is the Rock--He stands secure---He will not be moved.
d. The idea is, that they would not be afraid, though the convulsions then occurring in the world should be continued, and should be extended so far as to destroy the very earth itself. God would remain their friend and protector, and they would have nothing to fear. Barnes’
2. Though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. (v. 2)
This may either be understood literally, as implying that they would “not” be afraid though the mountains, the most fixed and firm things of earth, should be uprooted and sunk in the ocean — implying that nothing earthly was stable; or, the mountains here may be referred to as emblems of that which seemed to be most settled and established on earth — the kingdoms of the world. The idea is, that in any convulsion — any change — any threatened danger — they would place confidence in God, who ruled over all, and who could not change. Barnes’
3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled. (v. 3)
The earth might be changed, the mountains removed, the agitated sea roar and dash against the shore, but their minds would be calm. The word rendered “be troubled” means to boil; to ferment; to foam; and here it refers to the ocean as agitated and lashed into foam. Nothing is more sublime and fearful than the ocean in a storm; nothing furnishes a better illustration of the peace produced by confidence in God amid the agitations which occur in the world, than the mind of a seaman that is calm when the ocean is heaved in wild commotion. Barnes’
4. Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. (v. 3)
a. The rolling ocean breaking against; the sides of the mountains on its shore, and seeming to shake them to their foundation. The word rendered “swelling” means properly majesty, glory; then pride, haughtiness, insolence. Literally, “though the mountains tremble through their pride.”
Barnes’
b. Our confidence in God shall be unshaken and abiding. Having Him for our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1), we can have nothing to fear. Barnes’
II. WE NEED NOT FAINT; WE HAVE A RIVER (v. 4)
There is no allusion here to any particular stream or river, but the image is designed to represent a state of peace and calm security in contrast with the rough and troubled ocean. While the ocean rages, and foams, and dashes against the mountains as if it would overturn them, the state of Jerusalem, the city of God, was well represented by a calm and gently-flowing river; a river of full banks, diffusing joy and fertility and beauty wherever it flowed. This image, to represent happiness, abundance, peace, joy, is one that is often employed in the Scriptures. Barnes’ Notes
The “idea” here is simply that Jerusalem would be calm and serene amidst all the external agitations in the world — calm as a gently-flowing stream. The streams — the canals — the water-courses of such a river flowing around each dwelling and along each garden, would diffuse happiness and beauty everywhere. Barnes’ Notes
A. There Is A Natural River
1. Many great cities have been built on or by great rivers.
a. Egypt and the Nile.
b. Babylon and the Euphrates.
c. Rome and the Tiber.
2. Jerusalem was not built on or by a great river.
a. Hezekiah built a water system for the city.
b. It ran through the rock into Jerusalem.
3. This Scripture is not speaking of a literal river.
B. There Is A Spiritual River
1. This river is in reference to spiritual strength and power available from God
for God’s people.
2. In the Bible, water for drinking is a picture of the Holy Spirit.
a. Jesus said drink spiritually.
John 7:37 “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy
Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”)
b. Paul said be filled.
Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
To be drunk on wine you must drink your fill naturally. To be filled with
the Spirit you must drink your fill spiritually.
3. God’s favor, like a river whose waters are conducted in channels, is distributed to all parts of His Church. JFB
C. There Is Life By A River
1. Naturally
a. Water for drinking.
b. Water for growth trees, gardens, etc.
c. Water for pleasures like fishing, boating, swimming, etc.
2. Spiritually
a. Water is for growth.
Psalm 1:3 “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
The Holy Spirit is thus described. The child of God is planted in the soil for security, close by the water (the river) for inspiration, for refreshing and for the abundant life. A Dictionary of Bible Types
b. Water is for spiritual pleasure.
Psalm 36:8 “They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.”
The blessings of God are so abundant, so liberal and so great that no other figure could properly express the value of them. The things that please God are revealed to us in His Word. We enter into those pleasures, and our joy is full.
A Dictionary of Bible Types
Job 36:11 “If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.”
Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of
joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Psalm 46:4 “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.”
This type represents the gracious ministry of the Holy Spirit in all His various activities. He brings joy and life more abundant wherever His ministry is given.
A Dictionary of Bible Types
c. Water is for Life.
Zechariah 14:8 “And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.”
Revelation 22:1 “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
D. We Need Not Faint
1. God supplies us with the spiritual power we need to keep going in spite of the difficulties. W. W. W.
2. Zechariah 4:6 “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
III. WE NEED NOT FRET; WE HAVE A REVELATION (Be still, and know that I am God. v. 10)
A. I Am God (v. 10)
1. The trouble with many of us is that we think we are God. We make our plans and pull strings and try to manipulate people and situations, only to discover that everything falls apart. W. W. W.
2. God’s Name is I AM.
Man’s name is I Am Not; we just don’t have what it takes to make it alone.
His resources are available to us. W. W. W.
B. Be Still
1. One of the most difficult things to do as a Christian. “I Hate To Wait.”
2. The word used here — from hp;r; —means properly to cast down; to let fall; to let hang down; then, to be relaxed, slackened, especially the hands: It is also employed in the sense of not making an effort; not putting forth exertion; and then would express the idea of leaving matters with God, or of being without anxiety about the issue. Barnes’ Notes
3. Literally means (W. W. W.)
a. “take your hands off.”
b. Relax
4. In other words, “Get your hands off the situation--stop playing God---and permit me to take over.” W. W. W.
5. Sometimes God has to wait for us to make a real mess of things before we give up and let Him take over. W. W. W.
Exodus 14:13, “Stand still, and see the salvation of God.”
CONCLUSION
Here, then, are three wonderful divine resources for you to draw upon in the difficult times of life. We need not fear; we have a refuge. We need not faint; we have a river. And we need not fret; we have a revelation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” A mighty fortress is our God--a bulwark never failing! Warren W. Wiersbe
Taken from The Bumps Are What You Climb On, by Warren W. Wiersbe, pg 119
