Introduction

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather here today, we are united in a common purpose, a shared journey of faith, and a collective desire to draw closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are here to immerse ourselves in His word, to seek His guidance, and to find comfort in His promises. Today, we are going to focus on a theme that is as timeless as it is relevant - Trusting in Jesus.

Our guide for today's journey is the beautiful and comforting words of Psalm 91. This Psalm, like a gentle shepherd, leads us to the heart of God's promise to us. It reassures us of His protection, His care, and His unwavering commitment to us. It is a Psalm that speaks directly to our hearts, especially in times of trouble.

Let's read together from Psalm 91:1-4, "Whoever 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.' Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

These verses are not just words on a page, but a lifeline to us in times of trouble. They are a reminder that no matter what we face, we can trust in Jesus. We can hold on to His unchanging hand, knowing that He will never let us go.

Before we continue, let's bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the opportunity to gather together in Your name. We thank You for Your word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we reflect on the theme of Trusting in Jesus today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive Your truth. Help us to hold on to Your unchanging hand in times of trouble, knowing that You are our refuge and our fortress. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, imagine for a moment that you are on a ship in the middle of a storm. The waves are crashing against the sides, the wind is howling, and the ship is being tossed to and fro. You are scared, unsure if you will make it through. But then, you see a lighthouse in the distance. Its light cuts through the darkness, guiding you to safety. That lighthouse, my friends, is Jesus. He is our beacon in the storm, our guide in times of trouble. And just as a lighthouse never changes its position, so too does Jesus remain the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So, as we journey through this sermon today, let's keep that image in our minds. Let's remember that no matter how big the waves, no matter how strong the wind, we can trust in Jesus. We can hold on to His unchanging hand, knowing that He will guide us safely to shore.

Let's embark on this journey together, my friends, with open hearts and open minds. Let's trust in Jesus, hold on to His unchanging hand, and find comfort in His promises. For He is our refuge, our fortress, and our God. In Him, we can find rest, peace, and safety. In Him, we can find hope.

Trusting in Jesus: Holding on to God's Unchanging Hand in Times of Trouble

Friends, Psalm 91 is a beautiful reminder of the security we find in our Lord Jesus Christ. It paints a vivid picture of God as our refuge and fortress, a God in whom we can trust. When we dwell in His presence, we find rest and protection. It's like a bird that finds safety under its mother's wings. We too can trust that God will shield us from harm. His faithfulness becomes our shield and rampart, guarding us against the snares of the enemy.

Let's break this down a bit.

Firstly, the Psalmist says, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." This is a promise of rest and peace. In the midst of our troubles, when the storms of life are raging, we can find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. It's not just any shadow, but the shadow of the Almighty God, the Creator of the universe. It's a place of safety, a place of peace, a place of rest.

The Hebrew word for "dwell" used here is "yashab," which means to sit down, to remain, to settle. It's not a fleeting visit, but a permanent residence. It's about making God our home, our dwelling place. It's about settling down in His presence, making Him our refuge and fortress.

As the great theologian Charles Spurgeon once said, "The condescension of God is amazing, that He should permit us to dwell with Him."

Secondly, the Psalmist declares, "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" This is a declaration of trust. It's not just about knowing God as our refuge and fortress, but declaring it, proclaiming it. It's about making a conscious decision to trust in Him, to rely on Him, to lean on Him.

In the midst of our troubles, when the storms of life are raging, we can declare with confidence, "God is my refuge and my fortress. I trust in Him." We can hold on to His unchanging hand, knowing that He will never let us go.

Thirdly, the Psalmist assures us, "Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence." This is a promise of deliverance. God will save us, He will deliver us. He will rescue us from the fowler's snare, from the deadly pestilence.

In the midst of our troubles, when the storms of life are raging, we can hold on to this promise. We can trust in God's deliverance, in His salvation. We can hold on to His unchanging hand, knowing that He will save us, He will deliver us.

Finally, the Psalmist comforts us, "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." This is a promise of protection. God will cover us with His feathers, He will shield us with His wings. His faithfulness will be our shield and rampart.

In the midst of our troubles, when the storms of life are raging, we can find refuge under His wings. We can trust in His protection, in His faithfulness. We can hold on to His unchanging hand, knowing that He will protect us, He will shield us.

Friends, let's hold on to God's unchanging hand in times of trouble. Let's dwell in His presence, declare our trust in Him, hold on to His promises, and find refuge under His wings. Let's trust in Jesus, our refuge and fortress, our God in whom we trust.

God's Deliverance from Fear (Psalm 91:5-8)

When we talk about trust, we're talking about a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. And when we talk about trusting in Jesus, we're talking about a firm belief in His reliability, His truth, His ability, and His strength. Psalm 91 is a beautiful testament to this trust. It's a testament to the unchanging hand of God in times of trouble.

The Psalmist writes, "You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked."

What a promise! What a declaration of trust!

First, let's look at the promise of protection. "You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day." This is not a promise that we will never face danger or hardship. But it is a promise that we do not need to fear these things. Why? Because we trust in Jesus. We hold on to His unchanging hand.

Second, let's look at the promise of presence. "A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you." Again, this is not a promise that we will never experience loss or suffering. But it is a promise that we are not alone in these experiences. Why? Because we trust in Jesus. We hold on to His unchanging hand.

Third, let's look at the promise of perspective. "You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked." This is not a promise that we will never witness injustice or evil. But it is a promise that we can see these things from a different perspective. Why? Because we trust in Jesus. We hold on to His unchanging hand.

Now, let's turn to the New Testament. In Matthew 14:22-33, we find the story of Jesus walking on water. The disciples are in a boat, in the middle of a storm, and they see Jesus walking towards them on the water. They're terrified. But Jesus says to them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

Peter, ever the impulsive one, says, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." And Jesus says, "Come." So Peter gets out of the boat and starts walking on the water towards Jesus. But then he sees the wind and the waves, he gets scared, and he starts to sink. He cries out, "Lord, save me!" And immediately, Jesus reaches out His hand and catches him.

This story echoes the promises of Psalm 91. It echoes the promise of protection, the promise of presence, and the promise of perspective. And it adds two more promises.

Fourth, let's look at the promise of power. When Peter cries out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reaches out His hand and catches him. This is not a promise that we will never stumble or fall. But it is a promise that when we do, Jesus has the power to save us. Why? Because we trust in Jesus. We hold on to His unchanging hand.

Fifth, let's look at the promise of peace. After Jesus catches Peter, He says to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" This is not a rebuke, but a reminder. A reminder that when we trust in Jesus, when we hold on to His unchanging hand, we can have peace. Even in the midst of the storm.

So, my friends, let us hold on to the unchanging hand of God in times of trouble. Let us trust in Jesus. Let us cling to the promises of Psalm 91 and Matthew 14. Let us remember the promise of protection, the promise of presence, the promise of perspective, the promise of power, and the promise of peace. And let us live our lives in the light of these promises.

God's Faithfulness in Times of Trouble (Psalm 91:9-16)

When we're in the midst of life's storms, it's easy to feel alone and overwhelmed. But there's a lifeline available to us, a steady hand that never changes, never wavers. That hand is God's, and it's always there for us to hold onto. Psalm 91 is a beautiful testament to this truth, a reminder that God is our refuge, our protector, and our deliverer.

The first thing we need to understand is that God is our refuge. The psalmist says, "If you say, 'The Lord is my refuge,' and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent." This isn't just a comforting sentiment; it's a promise from the Creator of the universe. When we make God our dwelling place, when we choose to live in His presence and under His protection, we are safe from harm. This doesn't mean we won't face difficulties or challenges, but it does mean that we won't be overcome by them. We have a refuge, a safe place to run to when the storms of life hit.

This idea of God as our refuge is echoed in the scholarly work of theologian John Piper, who writes, "God is a refuge for His people, a safe place where we can go in times of trouble. He is a shelter from the storm, a fortress where we can find protection." This is a simple yet profound truth that we need to hold onto, especially when we're facing difficulties.

The second point we need to grasp is that God is our protector. The psalmist continues, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." This is a vivid image of God's protective care. He commands His angels to guard us, to lift us up and keep us from harm. This is not a passive protection; it's active and intentional. God is not just watching over us; He's actively working to keep us safe.

A.W. Tozer, a well-known pastor and author, once said, "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves." This quote reminds us that God's protection is not limited by our human understanding or abilities. He can do the impossible, and He does it for those who trust in Him.

Finally, we need to remember that God is our deliverer. The psalmist writes, "Because he loves me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.'" This is a promise of deliverance, of rescue from trouble. God doesn't just protect us from harm; He also delivers us from it. He answers when we call, He is with us in trouble, and He promises to satisfy us with long life and show us His salvation.

In her book "The Psalms and the Life of Faith," renowned Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann writes, "The psalmist's confidence in God's deliverance is not a naive optimism but a deep-seated trust in the God who has proven Himself faithful time and time again." This is the kind of trust we need to have in God. Not a naive optimism that ignores the realities of life, but a deep-seated trust in a God who has proven Himself faithful time and time again.

So, in the midst of life's storms, let's hold onto God's unchanging hand. Let's remember that He is our refuge, our protector, and our deliverer. And let's trust Him to do the impossible in our lives.

Conclusion

As we draw to a close on this sermon about trusting in Jesus, let's take a moment to reflect on the powerful message of Psalm 91. This Psalm is a beautiful testament to the unwavering faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. It's a reminder that in times of trouble, we can find refuge in Him. It's a promise that when we hold on to God's unchanging hand, He will deliver us from fear and guide us through every storm.

This week, let's strive to be more like Jesus. Let's aim to trust in God as Jesus did, with a steadfast faith that never wavers, no matter what challenges we face. Let's remember that Jesus, our perfect example, trusted in His Father completely, even in His darkest hour. And because of His trust, He was able to say, "Not my will, but yours be done."

As we go about our daily lives, let's keep Psalm 91 close to our hearts. Let's remember its promises and let them strengthen our faith. Let's remember that God is our refuge and fortress, our God in whom we trust. Let's remember that He will deliver us from the deadly pestilence, cover us with His feathers, and under His wings, we will find refuge.

And as we remember these promises, let's also remember to live them out. Let's strive to trust in God in all circumstances, to find refuge in Him in times of trouble, and to hold on to His unchanging hand with steadfast faith. Let's strive to be like Jesus, who trusted in His Father completely and was delivered from fear.

As we strive to be more like Jesus, let's also strive to be a light to others. Let's strive to show others the love and faithfulness of God through our actions and words. Let's strive to be a living testament to the promises of Psalm 91, showing others that when they trust in God, they too can find refuge and deliverance from fear.

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