Sermon Central
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When Trouble Comes
Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 17, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: God is always there to assist, offering safety, peace, and refuge. God's power is unending, and He will triumph in the end. Those who love Him will always be saved by Him.
In verses 1-3:
The dread of mountains and urban communities out of nowhere disintegrating into the ocean because of an atomic impact frequents numerous individuals today. Yet, the psalmist says that regardless of whether the world ceases, we need not dread. Notwithstanding utter annihilation, he communicated calm trust in God’s capacity to save him. It appears to be difficult to think about the apocalypse unafraid, however the Bible is clear, God is our shelter even with complete annihilation. He is not just an impermanent retreat; He is our endless sanctuary and can give strength in any situation.
• Psalm 145:18, The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
In verses 4-5:
Numerous large cities have rivers moving through or near them, supporting the lives of the inhabitants by making agribusiness conceivable and working with exchange with other cities. Jerusalem had no waterway, yet it had God who, like a river, brought life to the land. However, as long as God resided with people, the city was invulnerable. Yet when they deserted him, God ceased to protect them, and Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonian army.
• Isaiah 12:6, Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
• Revelation 22: I, And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
In verses 6-11:
War and annihilation are inescapable, yet so is God’s last triumph. Around then, all will be still before Almighty God. How appropriate is it for us to be still currently, respectfully, and reverently honoring God and his majesty and power? We should take the time every day to be still and worship and give thanks unto God.
• Psalm 9:9, The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
• Psalm 100:3, Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
• Isaiah 2:4, And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
When trouble comes, we should avoid faulty ways of dealing with the trouble:
• Do not hold God responsible.
• Do not resort to resentment.
• Do not surrender to self-pity.
• Do not escape through anesthesia.
When trouble comes, we should face trouble with faith:
• Trust in the goodness and power of God.
• Discover and depend on God's promises.
• Accept God's forgiveness and forgive others.
• Search for the good in life always.
• Psalm 121:1-2, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
• Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
• Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
When trouble comes, we should develop a plan for enduring the pain of trouble:
• Search God's Word.
• Listen for God's voice.
• Praise God, be thankful of the blessings we have.
• Recognize God's angels.
• Grow our faith, trust in God.
• Let a friend be a friend.
• Exodus 14:13, And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
• 2 Chronicles 20:17, Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, 0 Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
• Job 37:14, Hearken unto this, 0 Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
• Hebrews 13:2, Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
