A Refuge of Rest Psalm 91
Black Bart was a professional thief whose very name struck fear as he terrorized the Wells Fargo stage line. From San Francisco to new York, his name became synonymous with the danger of the frontier. Between 1875 and 1883 he robbed 29 different stagecoach. Amazingly, Bart did it all without firing a shot. Because a hood hid his face, no victim ever saw his face. He never took a hostage and was never trailed by a sheriff. Instead, Black Bart used fear to paralyze his victims. His sinister presence was enough to overwhelm the toughest stagecoach guard.
Today fear & terror have another name! Al Qaeda & terrorism....they to paralyze their victims w/ FEAR!
Illustration: 30 years ago researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported that the greatest fears of grade-school children were:
1. Animals 2. Being in a dark room 3. High places 4. Strangers 5. Loud noises.
Today, 2004, kids are afraid of :
1. Terrorism (Al Qaeda) 2. War 3. Disease 4. Divorce 5. Death
Truth is so are adults!
In today’s world...flying planes into sky scrapers - suicide (or homicide) bombers on buses or in malls
-images of war on TV
- the be-heading of innocent civilians Nicholas Berg Paul Johnson Jr. Kim Sun-il
- Are becoming common images in the News.
Black Bart has a new name:.... Osama bin Ladden / Al Qaeda & terror-ism, striking fear deep into the hearts of people.
Today the spirit of fear reeks havoc in minds & hearts of many! Unfortunately, that is true of many Christians as well!
-Soooo, is there a refuge & shelter from the fears of life? - Is it possible to live in the midst of all this craziness w/ courage? - Is God aware of my fear....does He even care?
The answers are .....YES! YES! YES!
This morning from the word of God, I want you to understand that Black Bart....Osama bin Ladden...Saddam Hussein....Al Qaeda & the most sadistic terror cell can’t hold a candle to our God!
Jesus said, “"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...and you will find rest for your souls” -Mt 11:28-29
In other words, bring me your fear, worry & doubt & rest in ME!
He is Lord..& He offers you His courage...His peace...& His presence to all who will receive.
Psalm 91
1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
When the trials of life....the terror of life....the temptations of life come & they will come we all need a resting place, a hiding place, a secure place.
The Psalmist makes it clear that God is...
I. A Refuge of Rest: v1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
One of the resounding themes of God’s word is that He is a “refuge of rest” for his children.
Psalm 62:1 David
My soul finds rest in God alone...
Matthew 11:28 Jesus
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Psalm 9:9
David
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
3 -words to note here that are associated w/ Rest: shelter, refuge, fortress.
* The Hebrew word "Shelter" means "a place to hide from your enemies."
* The Hebrew word "Refuge" means, "A place to run to for safety."
* The Hebrew word “Fortress” means "the one who keeps me”
The Psalmist found in God a hiding place...a safe place...a resting place...from the trails...troubles...temptations...& terror of this world.
It’s interesting & telling that he used 4 names for God in one statement that give great insight into the rest of the Lord.
1. “The Most High” in Hebrew the word “El-yon” it means Possession -The implication here is that God is the owner of everything! -36 X’s in scripture God calls himself by this name. -In heaven & on earth our God owns it all, for he created it all.
2. “The Almighty” in Hebrew the word “Shaddai” it means Provision -The picture here is that God is the provider of all. - God is the one that supplies all our needs.
3. “The Lord” in Hebrew the word “Jehovah” it means Promise -This was the greatest Hebrew name for God. –The eternal one! The immutable unchanging one! - The great “I AM” who has promised to care for his people.
4. “My God” in Hebrew the word “Elohim” it means Power -The word appears some 2700 X’s in scripture - It is often associate with creation thus the though is of power.
Now, consider the picture the Psalmist just painted!
El-yon, Shaddia, Jehovah & Elohim is the God of... Possession...Provision...Promise...& Power!
Therefore, our God is...
–A shelter of Strength!
-A refuge of Rest!
- A fortress Peace! - Were you can rest...peace...& hope from the fears of life!
But there is something required of you! Notice verses 1 & 2.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
3 Words that are the keys...which unlock the door...to the refuge of rest
1. Dwell- physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally positioned your self in the presence of God.
James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you....
It will require focus, faith, & follow through. -Time in his word- Give God the opportunity to speak to your heart. –Time in prayer- Give your self the opportunity to speak w/ God. – Time in worship- adoration, admiration, appreciation toward God.
Draw near to God! Dwell, stay, & abide in His presence for it is there you will find His rest!
2. Rest- relax ... refresh ... revive ... renew ... restore!
The speed of life in the 21st century...is more like the speed of light. Therefore, you need God’s rest in your life!
By the way rest was His idea!
-Genesis 2:2 God contemplated his own work, knowing that it was good. - Exodus 16:23-25 God institutes a day of rest for His people.
–Psalm 62:1 David says that God is his rest. -Joshua 1:13-15 Canaan is actually called "the resting place.” - Matthew 11:28 Jesus says ‘I will give you rest.”
If we are to find God’s rest we must do several things:
A. Clam down- emotionally
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
B. Slow Down – physically
The 7 ages of man: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills, wills
Quote: If I had my whole life to live over again, I don’t think I’d have the strength. - Flip Wilson
Matthew6:33
and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
C. Settle Down – mentally
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you
Dwell...Rest...and
3. Trust- confidence, faith & hope in God.
Trust is a basis yet essential component for a relationship with God!
Trust, faith, hope call it what you will but it is the vehicle to a relationship w/ God....it is also the vehicle to His rest!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Also Paths of strength, Rest & Peace!
My Friend, our God is “The God” of Possession, Provision, Promise... & Power!
Therefore, He is a God of rest from the fear, worry, & terror of this world!
Illustration: An umpire named Babe Pinelli once called Babe Ruth out on strikes. When the crowd booed with sharp disapproval at the call, the legendary Ruth turned to the umpire with disdain and said, "There’s 40,000 people here who know that the last pitch was ball, tomato head." Suspecting that the umpire would erupt with anger, the coaches and players braced themselves for Ruth’s ejection. However, the cool headed Pinelli replied,
"Maybe so, Babe, but mine is the only opinion that counts."
Regardless of the opinions, ideologies, philosophies & views of this world, there’s a sovereign God in heaven who longs to be your “refuge of rest” protecting you from the trails, troubles & terror of life!
God is your shelter...refuge...& fortress!
