God Is Our Refuge (Mother's Day 2024)
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Introduction:
Introduction:
Cliche, Truism, Platitude...
Verse 1
English Standard Version Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Verse 10a
English Standard Version Psalm 46
Be still, and know that I am God.
Not to Elisabeth Elliot...
Elisabeth Elliot suffered the loss of two husbands. The first, Jim Elliot, was killed by Auca Indians in Ecuador while trying to reach them with the gospel. The second, Addison Leitch, was slowly consumed by cancer. In relating to what these experiences were like, she referred to Psalm 46, saying that in the first shock of death “everything that has seemed most dependable has given way. Mountains are falling, earth is reeling. In such a time it is a profound comfort to know that although all things seem to be shaken, one thing is not: God is not shaken.” She added that the thing that is most needful is to do what the psalmist does later, to be “still” and know that God is God. God is God whether we recognize it or not. But it comforts us and infuses strength into our faltering spirits to rest on that truth.
Not to Martin Luther...
With the continent of Europe in upheaval, he found great comfort in the soul-lifting truths of the Psalms. Specifically, in 1527, Luther faced one of the greatest difficulties of his life as the Black Plague swept across Germany and much of the European continent. During this time, Luther’s son almost died and his own body was fainting under the mounting pressure. In the midst of this personal conflict, Luther found himself contemplating the promises of Psalm 46, an encouraging psalm of trust in the invincibility of the Lord.
Gaining new strength from this old song, Luther composed what is arguably his most famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress.” Amid such adversity, this embattled stalwart found God to be his “bulwark never failing.” Though he had previously taught and even translated the Psalms, Luther now found himself living them as never before. Many times during this dark and tumultuous period, when terribly discouraged, he would turn to his co-worker, Philipp Melanchthon, and say, “Come, Philipp, let us sing the forty-sixth Psalm.”
The Sons of Korah
The sons of Korah This group of worship leaders was a collective guild of singers who also composed music. This group is recognized as writing ten psalms (Pss 42, 44–49, 84–85, 87).
Framed by “Selah”
When we see the word selah in a psalm or in Habakkuk 3, we should pause to carefully weigh the meaning of what we have just read or heard, lifting up our hearts in praise to God for His great truths.
The Text:
The Text:
Let us CONSIDER this Psalm this morning...
To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Prayer:
Prayer:
I. Consider His Mighty Character (vv. 1-3)
I. Consider His Mighty Character (vv. 1-3)
God is… Genesis 1:1 (Elohim - Plural, Powerful God)
Refuge
Strength
Very Present Help
Do Not Fear (vv. 2)
Though...
Earth gives way
Mountains be moved into the sea
Waters roar and foam
Mountains tremble at its swelling
1 O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
II. Consider His Glad City (vv. 4-7)
II. Consider His Glad City (vv. 4-7)
River with streams make glad - Notes of Eden, Christ as living water
Please note the verb tense––“is.”––present tense. There is, every moment of every day, a constant flow of a life-giving river into the lives of God’s people. It is a steady stream of grace. It is a flow of sustaining peace, joy, and power that enables us to go through trying times in a triumphant way.
The Holy Spirit
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
This city is God’s dwelling - Sinai vs Zion
18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary 46:8–11. Be Still
The thesis that God’s presence on Zion brings protection to the city and its people must be appropriated by faith; otherwise, it becomes presumption. The Israelites learned the latter, as proclaimed by Jeremiah, when they assumed that the mere presence of God’s dwelling in the city secured it from harm from the Babylonians. In his temple sermon, Jeremiah mocked those who looked upon the temple as a talisman against defeat (Jer. 7:4). God could abandon his house (and did; see Ezek 9–11). After all, although the temple was a tangible sign that God was in their midst, it was God, not the temple itself, who served as Israel’s defence.
God will help His city - Dwelling in a place or a people?
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
Do Not Be Moved (vv. 5)
13 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
The nations rage and totter - overthrown, collapsed
They are nothing to His melting voice
1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Yahweh Sabaoth - The LORD of Hosts
Hannah praying for Samuel
English Standard Version Chapter 1
9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
David confronting Goliath
English Standard Version Chapter 17
44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.”
John Knox, the great Scottish Reformer, once said, “One plus God makes a majority.” If God is with you, you have all that you need. In fact, you have far more than you need. Even if you have to stand against the world alone, the Lord is with you. If you are a believer, let me reassure you, the Lord is with you.
God of Jacob - The God of His people (12 Tribes)
III. Consider His Glorious Works (vv. 8-11)
III. Consider His Glorious Works (vv. 8-11)
He lays waste, those who oppose Him and His work
He ends war, destroying weapons and transportation
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
16 The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
Cease Striving (vv. 10) (God speaking directly.)
The LORD will be exalted among the gentile nations
The LORD will be exalted by everyone, everywhere
This is our God, our refuge!
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
The LORD is our refuge…
So consider Him and His might, ready to help.
So consider His city, where He dwells in gladness.
So consider His works, that He will reign, exalted over all His creation.
When did you last consider these things?
Do you run to Him for refuge and help, in good and bad?
Are you moved by the nations around you?
Are you afraid of your circumstance and current troubles?
Are you trying to fight on your own, or with the world’s help?
Don’t Fear, Don’t Be Moved, Cease Striving…Run to this Refuge and Rejoice in Him.
If He is not your refuge, if you are an enemy of God…run to Him, believe in His Son, and...
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!