How can we be secure living in an unsafe world?
The psalmist tells us through his own experience: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” That’s where we can find true security and peace.
In this psalm, the psalmist reminds us of three things:
(1) Our Security is in God, not in this World
We are to look to the Creator, not the creation, to love the Giver, and not the gifts. This world has little to offer us. He says the earth can give way, the mountains can fall into the sea, and the waters can roar and foam, and the mountains quake.
We are asked to turn to God, for He alone can be our refuge and strength. God is our ever-present help. He is our hope, and nothing else.
We have only one source of security - God. When the economy collapses, wars break out, natural disasters destroy our homes, government fails, our health deteriorates, or friends betray us, God is the only place we can find security. Our world, with all its advancements in education, technology and science, is no safer today than it was thousands of years ago. In fact, we feel more threatened today than those days when people live in villages, in wooden huts.
A true story: A retired couple was alarmed by the threat of nuclear war so they undertook a serious study of all the inhabited places on the globe. Their goal was to determine where in the world would be the place to be least likely affected by a war, a place of ultimate security.
They studied and travelled, travelled and studied. Finally they found the place - an island. And on Christmas they sent their pastor a card from their new home - in the Falkland Islands.
However, history tells us their so-called "paradise" was soon turned into a war zone by Britain and Argentina.
- James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 402.
Anything can happen, at any second. We need to have anti-terrorism drills. We are at the whim of circumstance. There is no security UNLESS we have placed ourselves in the hand of the One who holds eternity, who is in control of all things.
We need to turn to God, more so in these last days. The theme for this year will be PRAYER. Only when we seek God, can we find rest for our soul. The psalmist wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (v.10)
The Bible says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” (Psalm 20:7-8).
God is waiting to hear us call to Him for help. And if we call, he will respond.
This is important. When you are secure in God, you do not need the security of other things. We believe that God is still in control and seated firmly on His throne. That is why we can say: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1-2).
The second truth we need to have planted deeply in our lives is this:
(2) Our Security comes from our Faith, not from our Circumstance
But the psalmist was able to feel secure and happy, not because of these things. He says in verse 5 - God is within the city, and therefore she will not fall. And in verse 7, “The Lord Almighty is with us…” His faith is in the presence of God, and that gives him hope and security. Not because the city has huge walls or strong gates, not because they are seasoned warriors or have great weapons, but because God is with them.
We pray today, not to have a good life or that God will make us rich. God can bless us materially with riches. God wants us to enjoy His good gifts, just as we want our children to enjoy what we give them. But He does not want us to depend on things - He wants us to depend on Him. Our trust is not in things, but in Him.
We pray for strong faith, that in the midst of a changing world, we will continue to trust that God is with us. His presence will be our peace and joy. We want to have faith in Him, no matter what happens.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
There are those who live in great prosperity – they have lots of money and possessions - yet their lives are consumed with worry and fear. There are those in our world today who live in very difficult and dangerous places, yet have a great sense of security because they have placed their faith and hope in God.
Job was robbing of everything around him, but he chose to place His trust in God. He was shaken but he did not fall. The Bible says, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” (Psalm 125:1).
Security is not the absence of trouble, but the confidence and courage we have in the midst of trouble - this comes from a faith in God. It is this faith that gives the psalmist the courage to say, “We will not fear.” (v.2)
We can have the same courage today. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Our confidence cannot be shaken, because we have a God who is in complete control. We have courage, not because we are strong, but because we have a God who is strong. He is powerful and He rules over all. God has not changed, and His love will see us through.
Paul asks, “35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom 8:35, 37)
We are secure in an unsafe world because the One who loves us is with us.
The third truth we need to have planted deeply in our lives is this:
(3) Our Security is in Eternity, not in the Present
“Come and see the works of the Lord.” Ultimately, God wins.
This world is not our home. If you are looking only at the present circumstances you will be shaken, but if your life is grounded in eternity you will stand firm.
As Christians, our lives have an eternal dimension. We know that nothing that happens here can harm or change the things that matter to us most - our relationship with God, our home in heaven, the presence of our loved ones and friends who have known Christ and lived for him. Nothing can change those things. No one can take them away.
The Bible says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28). God works in all the situations of our lives to bring about His good. He does not cause them, but He does use them.
We understand that terrorist attacks were not the will of God. Those who did it went against His will. God had nothing to do with them, but God will use these things for His eternal purposes.
Our confidence does not go up and down with the stock market. Our security is not in how good the news is on television. For the Lord says in this psalm, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10).
As Christians, we understand that there is evil in the world. But we also know that God is in the world. Christmas tells us His heart is for the world. But God will judge the evil in this world. Ultimately good will triumph over evil; truth will be victorious over the lie, and love will win out over hate. God wins.
There are no guarantees in this world for any of us. We are not immune from the harms of this world, but we are loved — we have a Father who watches over us, His children - and that is our security. The song says, “This world is not our home, we’re just passing through. Our treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.”
We are secure in an unsafe world, because our security is in eternity, not in the present.
We have a good God, and He will lead us safely back to our eternal home in heaven.
We can turn to Him. We must turn to Him. He is with us. No matter where the journey takes us, He takes our hand and walks beside us. There is no better news. There is no greater security.
SECURITY IN THE ROCK
The rock badger hides in the crags in the rock. They are greyish in colour and blends well with the rocks. When a predator comes to attack, they will run into a hole, the crag in the rock. The vulture or eagle must sweep down on them before they get into the rocks.
The badgers know where their security lies. If they decide to go off to the field or forest, venturing away from the rock, then it is vulnerable. It doesn’t matter how courageous they are, it doesn’t matter how strong or fast they can run, the most courageous badgers can fall victim to the smallest wolf or lion. When it wanders away from the rock, a badger is dead meat.
If you have the wisdom of a badger, you’ll know where your security is – the Rock of ages.
The security you must have is the security of God himself.
Ps 9:9-10 “9The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Through prayer, we enter God’s refuge. Let improve on our prayer life this year.
May this year be a year of persevering prayer.
