WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN TROUBLE COMES
Text: Psalm 91:1-16
Since September 11 our world has not been the same, yes there have been other events that have effected the world but non quite like September 11.
Most of us thought we were fairly safe just going about our daily life but I think the events of September 11 changed all that. Even when Elaine and I went to Sydney at the beginning of this year the effects were still quite obvious, extra security at the airports still cause long delays in boarding aircraft. I was reading in the paper on Friday that America’s second biggest airline United Airlines may have to go into liquidation because of lost business. The collapse of Ansett was probably in part due to September 11.
But I want to tell you that despite September 11 there is still hope.
God never promised us a life free of troubles here on earth.
John 16:33 "... In the world you will have tribulation; ...."
The word tribulation in the Greek means
Affliction, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
2 Tim. 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
SOUNDS DEPRESSING DOESN’T IT
BUT GOD DOES GIVE US THE WAY TO OVERCOME ANYTHING THAT COMES AGAINST US.
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace......"
".....but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
That brings me to our text for this morning
Psalm 91:1-16 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." [3] Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. [4] He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. [5] You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, [6] Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. [7] A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. [8] Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. [9] Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, [10] No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; [11] For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. [12] In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. [13] You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. [14] "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. [15] He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. [16] With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."
1 WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN AFFLICTION, ANGUISH, BURDENED, PERSECUTION, TRIBULATION OR TROUBLE COMES
Do you run to the secret place? To that place of refuge under the shadow of the Almighty
Or do you run from God and try to hide yourself away from God and His people.
You see we must make a choice and plan ahead so that we know in advance what we are going to do.
It’s not a matter of if troubles come! God has warned us in advance that affliction, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation and trouble will come.
We must draw up a battle plan so that we know in advance what we are going to do when they come.
Illustration
Anyone who works in a building or goes to school will know that every so often the emergency evacuation procedures are practised so that people know exactly what to do in an emergency. Companies elect fire wardens to take charge should the alarm be raised.
It is no good trying to work out what you are going to do during the emergency, people would just panic and lives would be lost.
I believe it is just as important if not more important, for us to have a plan of action for our spiritual lives.
If you are not used to running to God in the good times then in times of trouble you will probably do as Adam and Eve did and run from God.
God wants to be your refuge and fortress in times of trouble
Many places in Scripture speak of God’s desire to help us in times of trouble, here are a few:-
Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. [10] And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 46:1 "....God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble."
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.
Have you decided were you are going to run when troubled times come?
Look at His promises if you choose to call on Him!
Psalm 91:5-6
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
[6] Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
In other words it does not matter weather it is night or day God will be your protection. Yes we may see destruction all around us but if we put our hope and our trust in Him the author and finisher of our faith we need have no fear.
Psalm 91:9-11 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, [10] No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; [11] For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
I believe they are great promises, why would you want to put your trust in anyone or anything else.
2 WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN AFFLICTION, ANGUISH, BURDENED, PERSECUTION, TRIBULATION OR TROUBLE COMES
Do you run with the crowd?
Even the great Apostle Peter ran with the crowd when persecution came upon them leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.
It’s easy being a Christian when everything is going OK but what happens when everything starts coming against you.
Those whose faith is shallow will be in danger of falling when hardships come upon them.
Remember the parable of the sower? Jesus explained it to His disciples!
Mark 4:14-19 The sower sows the word. [15] And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. [16] These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; [17] and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. [18] Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, [19] and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
God wants to plant His Word deep in your heart so that nothing can come along and steal it away.
Mark 4:20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
Look at the promises when we allow His Word to be firmly planted in or heart!
Psalm 91:13-15 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. [14] "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. [15] He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him.
Finally
3. WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN AFFLICTION, ANGUISH, BURDENED, PERSECUTION, TRIBULATION OR TROUBLE COMES
Depending on how you answer it will determine how you live here on earth and where you spend eternity.
Look at the final verse of Psalm 91
If we choose the Lord and love Him He will give us the promises of verse 16
Psalm 91:16
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation."
Doctors have long known that worry and anxiety will prolong sickness and can shorten life. You can worry yourself sick as the saying goes.
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO GO WHEN AFFLICTION, ANGUISH, BURDENED, PERSECUTION, TRIBULATION OR TROUBLE COMES
I want to encourage you to choose life choose God put your total trust in Him!
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
IN CONCLUSION
Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
Choose today to make up a battle plan, get God involved in your plan and let Him help you draw up strategies for when times of AFFLICTION, ANGUISH, BURDENED, PERSECUTION, TRIBULATION OR TROUBLE COME.
Have a trusted Christian friend help keep you on track when things get rough. That is why it is so important to stay in fellowship.
Animals of prey will always go for the weaker isolated animal. The devil is no different. The fellowship of other believers will strengthen you in times of weakness.
Trusting in the world will only bring heart ache and sorrow
Trusting in God will bring Victory, Joy and an Abundant Life.
IN FACT ETERNAL LIFE!
What are you going to choose?
