PSALM 46

HOW TO LIVE IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS

CONFIDENCE IN CHAOS

Psalm 46:2–3 ESV

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

Psalm 46:6 ESV

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

I. LIVE PATIENTLY IN THE FAITHFUL PROTECTION OF GOD

GOD IS WORTHY OF OUR PATIENCE - 1-3.

DAVID TELLS US THREE THINGS ABOUT GOD THAT SHOULD GARNER OUR PATIENCE

GOD IS OUR REFUGE

- hiding place - harbor - shelter.

GOD IS OUR STRENGTH

o THERE IS THE SENSE THAT WE SHOULD AND CAN BE PATIENT IN THESE MOMENT BECAUSE HE IS OUR STRENGTH

§ LOSE STRENGTH IN THE BATTLE BUT GOD IS OUR STRENGTH

§ ISAIAH PUT IT THIS WAY

IS 40:28-31-

Isaiah 40:28 ESV

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

Isaiah 40:29 ESV

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Isaiah 40:30 ESV

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

SCRIPTURE TELLS US OF DAVID

1 Samuel 30:6 ESV

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

GOD IS OUR HELP

B. Because God is Refuge - Strength - Help - we will not fear.

1. Living in world fraught with fears.

a. Hydrophobia, claustrophobia - acriphobia -

b. "Men's hearts failing them for fear."

2. Will not fear natural catechisms. vs. 2,3

a. Especially significant today.

II. LIVE ACTIVELY IN THE FAITHFUL PRESENCE OF GOD 4-.

Psalm 46:4 ESV

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

A. Finding the peace of God in the chaos

V4: RIVERS… TWO PICTURES I WANT TO GIVE

· 1. FIND THE RIVER (FROM THE CHAOS THERE IS THE QUIET. – THE RIVER

· 2. GOD TAKES WHAT APPEARS TO BE CHAOTIC AND QUIETS YOU IN THE MIDST OF THE CHAOS

o CHANGES THE WAY YOU SEE WHAT YOU SEE

o

THUS VERSE 5: GOD IS IN THE MIDST OF HER

· SHE WILL NOT BE MOVED

o CT MOUNTAINS BEING MOVED

o EARTJ GIVING WAY

· HE WILL HELP

A. The consciousness of the nearness of God. "God is in the midst of her."

1. Though the earth be moved - God is not moved.

2. Though the mountains be shaken - God is never shaken.

3. Though all may fall - God stands.

B. The consciousness of the power of God. vs. 6

"He uttered His voice the earth melted."

1. Nations are like the dust of the balances.

2. Looks like nations getting out of hand.

"The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved."

C. The consciousness of the Greatness of God "The Lord of hosts."

1. Gen. 2 the host of heaven stars.

2. Announcement to shepherds - "A heavenly host."

3. To Peter in Garden - "Put away thy sword."

D. The consciousness of the smallness of God.

"The God of Jacob" not Israel.

1. Mean, hard, convincing Jacob.

2. Small thinking, dust on speck called earth.

III. LIVE HOPEFULLY IN THE FAITHFUL VINDICATION OF GOD 8-11.

A. "The works of the Lord in the earth."

1. This passage carries us out to the kingdom age.

2. This shall be the time of final vindication. Now- Evil, godless men seem to prosper. Evil seemingly is triumphant over good.

B. The three stages of future vindication.

1. Judgment - Great Tribulation "What desolations he hath made in the earth."