The tragic events of this past Tuesday, September 11, 2001, brought tragedy to our doorstep. The scenes, we watched unfold before our eyes on television and listened to broadcast on radio, caused us to examine our “coping mechanisms.” How do we accomplish what the Apostle Paul admonished us to in I Thessalonians 4:13b, as he writes “. That ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”
In the text we read, the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all of our tribulation, prescribes four truths that we should know when trouble comes calling and tragedy strikes home.
We must know:
I. Where do we dwell? Psalm 91:1
a. The Psalmist declares that his dwelling is in the secret place, under the shadow of the Almighty.
b. Later in verse 9, he declares that the Lord is his refuge and for those who have made Him their refuge, we have nothing to fear!
c. Romans 8:37-39
d. Where I have found my refuge?
II. What will we say? Psalm 91:2
a. The writer tells us his faith confession, “I will say of the Lord…”
b. Hebrews 13:5-6
Paul says that he will confess what God says about him. God has said, so Paul will say will say in agreement (confession, affirmation).
c. Psalm 107:2
“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!!” Don’t do what the members of a worship team used to do at a church I once pastored. When singing the chorus, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so”, many of them would yell “SO!!!” This didn’t edify me or encourage the body, nor did it scare the devil.
d. What we need to say is: WE ARE THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD WHOM SHALL WE FEAR! (Isaiah 43:1) WE ARE REDEEMED FROM THE HAND OF THE ENEMY. (Psalm 107:2b).
III. Where have we set we our love?
a. The Hebrew idea for the word love in this verse is “delight”.
b. Psalm 1:3 “his delight is in the law of the Lord.
c. It is within the Word of God that we are going to find answers, direction and comfort in a troubled time.
IV. Who will we call upon for help?
Psalm 91:15
a. It is in a time of great tragedy or
conflict that we begin to discern within who or what have we placed our trust.
b. God promises that if we call upon Him, that He will answer and He will deliver.
c. Romans 10:13
Conclusion: How do you answer these four questions? How you answer will either bring you great hope through Christ or you leave you with an awareness that you have built upon shaky ground.
