God Is Our Refuge During the Storms

Just two weeks ago we all experienced the effects of a severe storm…

Many large trees were uprooted, power-lines snapped, leaving hundreds of thousands without power, some may even still be without power.

You can drive through both Shreveport and Bossier City and still see the damage.

I leave on vacation for 1 week and y’all have this happen.

I remember one year driving to Florida from Ohio in the midst of the storm that flooded Nashville…I was white knuckling it, with a van full of people and thought “this is nuts”… “I can’t see the vehicles in front of me”, at 25 mph I still felt like I was going to hydroplane…I eventually made the decision it was time to pull of somewhere and wait it out...

I don’t know for sure, but I would venture to guess that at some point in our life, we’ve all felt like that...

like you’re in the middle of a storm and you can’t get your bearings and your heart’s gripped with fear and don’t know what to do!

what you need is a place of refuge…a safe haven…

that’s what our God offers to be to His children – - with that in mind, please open your Bible to Psalm 46…this is great Psalm that describes God as Our Refuge Through the Storms

I want us to consider 4 characteristics of God that ought to lead us to stability.

I. He is Our Strength in the Storm – vv. 1-3

Ps 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.”

don’t you love the simple truth of verse 1?....

A. He is all we need

Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

this is one of the central questions of the men and women around our world today…where can I turn for refuge?...

this Psalm is inviting us to find our refuge in the pure and perfect and protective hand of the God of heaven and earth…

John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,”

because of the finished work of Christ on the cross, a Holy God can invite us into fellowship with Him that provides refuge and strength…

In a struggling economy...God can be your refuge and strength…

In a fractured home…God can be your refuge and strength

In a country where corruption exists at every level of society and leadership — God can be your refuge and strength…

that’s one of the key questions posed in this Psalm…where are you going for refuge?...

you could seek refuge in rebellion and bitter complaint…but there’s no refuge there…

you can seek refuge in your anger and trying to control everyone and everything around you…there’s no refuge there…

you can slide into the cesspool of any number of sinful temptations and momentary pleasures…there’s no refuge there…

What we need to do as individuals and as a church is to join the Psalmist – where we joyfully affirm that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

B. He is in control

Psalm 46:2–3 - Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

there are different ways of thinking about what the Psalmist means here…

some think he’s talking about literal physical calamity…like an earthquake or a flood…some kind of calamity where everything you relied on – because mountains are supposed to be stable and immovable – they don’t slip…

but what about when they do?...even then we don’t have to fear if we’ve chosen to take our refuge in the Lord…

the mountains might be sliding around, and the ocean might be roaring and foaming…but we’re secure and safe in the hands of our heavenly Father and His dear Son…

others see it as a metaphor or a word picture for the nations that will be described in the next verses…

so God is shaking up the kingdoms of the world…one is sliding here and another is sliding there…but the people of God are in Eden-like place because of our relationship with the Lord…

we can’t be dogmatic about that and ultimately it doesn’t matter because the central point is the same…

whatever difficulty you might be facing right now, God stands ready to be your refuge…a very present help in time of trouble…

II. He is Our Sustainer Through the Night – vv. 4-5

Ps 46:4-5 “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.”

The contrast that appears in verse 4 could not be more profound…

While there is the chaos and confusion of the mountains slipping into the sea and the waters roaring and foaming…and mountains quaking at the sea’s swelling pride…

compare that to the dwelling places of the most high…it’s an Eden-like existence for the people of God…for those who have chosen to find their refuge in Him…

A. God is our nourishment

Verse 4 is a picture of serenity…and sustenance…

when men and women are taking refuge in Him, there’s no reason to participate in every battle that comes along in this world…

If we allow ourselves to get caught up in everything that comes along that can be potentially exhausting

I’m not going to rehearse all the issues facing us right now in our country...Seems like everyday an argument ensues over something!

and I’m not suggesting that we can’t and shouldn’t interact with some of those subjects in a limited way…but if you are trying to find your sustenance and hope in convincing everyone else about all your opinions on those matters, you will be gripped with endless fear and worry and turmoil…

the kingdom of man offers no peace and stability and sustenance and satisfaction…

but the follower of Christ who is taking refuge in his/her walk with the Lord…you can engage in those topics when appropriate with a kind of serenity and balance and kindness and selflessness that can have a refreshing impact in this world in which we live…

I hope you’re looking for opportunities to speak about how your relationship with the Lord is impacting your ability to navigate these troubled times…

you can do that without being pious or self-righteous – but everyone is talking about – how are we going to get through all of this – you could simply quote this passage as your personal testimony – God is my refuge and strength…a very present help in trouble…therefore, I will not fear…

B. God is our fortress

You see that terminology mapped all over this Psalm…

v. 4 – the holy dwelling places of the Most High

v. 7 – the God of Jacob is our stronghold

v. 11 – the God of Jacob is our stronghold

Martin Luther’s great hymn – A Mighty Fortress is Our God...think about Luther’s context in the middle of one of the greatest theological conflicts in the history of the church…

whether salvation truly was by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the Scriptures alone, for the glory of God alone…

how did he maintain his courage and convictions when the theological waters were roaring, and the mountains were quaking at its great pride?...

his Mighty Fortress wasn’t his intellect, or his piety, or some kind of power he might seize from the established authority structures of the church…

Here are just two of the verses…

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.

Every one of us has to decide – what’s going to be our fortress…or perhaps more importantly, Who’s going to be our fortress?...

What image do people have about our fortress?

if you’re spouting off on social media, and getting into a fight with every one and have yourself worked up in a fury about the latest social and political ills, etc…

it’s quite likely that your children, or grandchildren have been watching that example very carefully…its quite possible that others have concluded your fortress is weak.

Conversely, if God is your refuge and your strength…your very present help in time of trouble…you’re finding ways to calm your own soul…and hopefully that’s taken you to this place…

Whatever storms are going to come our way, we’re going to joyfully follow the leadership God has given us…and we’re going to trust the Lord to watch over us today…

C. God is with us.

Psalm 46:5 - God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

the personal presence of our Savior can and should be a source of tremendous hope and confidence right now…

Listen to John 14:1-3 ““Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

if that reality is settled, and it is – Christians can move through the upheavals of this life with a sense of serenity and security that only comes from our marvelous Savior…

III. He is Our Champion in Battle – vv. 6-9

Psalm 46:6-9 “The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.”

We need to remember He is the One who is fighting the battle on our behalf…

this is one of the reasons for example, that Christians don’t have to return evil for evil…

why?...because the Lord takes care of that in His way, in His time – we just take our refuge in Him…

and even when it’s something as significant as an entire nation making an uproar – or a political party…or a cultural movement…

ultimately it will be judged on its willingness to humbly submit to the will and Word of the God of heaven and earth…

and if not – what will happen according to verse 6… Psalm 46:6 - …He raised His voice, the earth melted.

this portion of the Psalm hearkens back to Psalm 2…

A. Relationship to Psalm 2

Let me encourage you to read Psalm 2.

Psalm 2:1-3 “Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!””

Ps 2:12 “Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”

why is the world in such an uproar right now?...there are so many opinions and movements and world/life views that have completely abandoned God and His Word vying for attention and allegiance…every issue becomes the refuge for them

and I would implore every person in our church family…be very careful right now…

we are living in vanity fair where there is potential idolatry around every corner…coupled with the strong lust – even amongst the people of God -- to be approved by the world

always be on the lookout for pride and rebellion which are tell-tale signs of godlessness…

and so many of those opinions and world/life views are the polar opposite of sound theology and biblical truth and pointing men and women to find their refuge in the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ…

the nations are in an uproar and the people are devising vain things…

friends, be careful where you find your refuge…

B. Be encouraged by the power of God’s voice

when you are finding your refuge in Him, you can be encouraged that God will deal with rebellion and unbelief in His time and in His way…

There is a story in the Old Testament of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, and Hezekiah, the king of Israel?

you can read about it in 2 Kings 18-19, and 2 Chronicles 32, or Isaiah 36-37

The nation of Assyria was on the rise…and they invaded Israel…and the pride with which they spoke was amazing…

so Sennacherib sent his general who had the audacity to speak this to the people on the wall in Judean – their own language…

Isaiah 36:18 “‘Beware that Hezekiah does not mislead you, saying, “The Lord will deliver us.” Has any one of the gods of the nations delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria?”

Hear what he said...don’t take your refuge in the God of the Bible…He’s not powerful enough to save you against us…

and Isaiah counsels Hezekiah not to bow, and so the king cried out to the Lord…

Isaiah 37:33–37 - Therefore, thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, “He will not come to this city or shoot an arrow there; and he will not come before it with a shield, or throw up a siege ramp against it. By the way that he came, by the same he will return, and he will not come to this city,” declares the Lord. “For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.” Then the angel of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, all of these were dead. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and returned home and lived at Nineveh. It came about as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons killed him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place.

Who are you listening to?

IV. He is Our Reason to Stop Fighting

Ps 46:10-11 ““Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.”

Psalm 46:10 has been turned into poems and songs and is sometimes found on posters and pictures…and the scene is generally in a meadow by a quiet brook…and the idea is – be still and know that I am God…in some sort of a passive, pastoral sense…

that really doesn’t capture the language here, or the argument of the text…

this is a command to the turbulent world in which we live…read verse 10 again.

The world is trying to tell us to cease striving by accepting their views as the only ones that matter- but it is more on the lines of “cease striving in such godless ways”

It would bring a temporary peace if people would learn to listen to one another and find the commonalities, but it is only temporary at best...

All humanity needs to heed the word of the Lord in Psalm 46:10…until the day comes when all humanity acknowledges Jesus Christ and bows to Him and His will, there will be no peace.

The storms of life are going to come and they are going to come hard at times...in the meantime…we certainly don’t have to join in every fight that comes along…nor do we have to be gripped with fear and worry about what will happen to the people of God now and in the days ahead.