Psalm 46 Help in Time of Trouble
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Help in Time of Trouble
Help in Time of Trouble
Prayer: Healing, leaders, help: for the world, us as we study.
In 1527 Martin Luther, a key figure in church history, is in a desperate struggle.
- Many say this is the most difficult year of his life.
- More than once he approached the brink of death due to his sickness.
- To compound matters, The plague had entered Germany and spread to his hometown.
- Many fled but he, his wife, and children stayed believing it was their duty to care for the sick.
- They transformed their house into a hospital and watched friends and loved ones die brutal deaths.
- In the midst of this, their worst fears were realized when their one-year-old son became desperately ill.
- It was here: broken, hopeless, and fearful, with deaths surrounding him on every side that Luther was driven to take refuge in God like never before.
- It was this psalm that he clung to.
- became an anchor to his soul.
- he used to say, ‘Come, let us sing the 46th Psalm, and let them do their worst.’ He said, ‘We sing this Psalm to the praise of God, because God is with us, and powerfully and miraculously preserves and defends his church and his word, against all fanatical spirits, against the gates of hell, against the implacable hatred of the devil, and against all the assaults of the world, the flesh and sin’” (Luther via Plumer, 522-23).
Main Idea: In the face of trouble and chaos, the LORD of hosts, our refuge and strength, helps us.
Main Idea: In the face of trouble and chaos, the LORD of hosts, our refuge and strength, helps us.
is the language of faith in the midst of difficulty.
The modern world in large part has known decades of living without any real thoughts of fear and trouble.
A few months ago we would not have imagined a worldwide catastrophe caused over something that we cannot even see. The unseen and unknown has only added to the fear and chaos.
“Our true security is in the One true God alone, not in God plus something else. (Derek Kidner, 192.)
turns our hearts to where they should be in a time like this.
In the face of trouble and chaos, the LORD of hosts is our refuge and strength.
In the face of trouble and chaos, the LORD of hosts is our refuge and strength.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble. (tried and proven)
“Our true security is in God, not in God plus anything else.” Derek Kidner, 192.-
God is our…true for the people of God
refuge and strength= external and internal.
Refuge gives the defensive or external aspect of salvation: God the unchanging, in whom we find shelter.
Strength probably implies the dynamic aspect: God within, to empower the weak for action. (Kidner 192)
“trouble” plural-likely meaning a continuous act.
“a very present help” summary of knowing God as refuge and strength. and exceeding near assistance, help.
Theological truth of who God is and applied theology experienced help in trouble.
How do we apply what we know and believe?
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
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
Hyperbole.
Mountains represent strength and stability
Water—tumultuous sea represents power and destruction.
sea, particularly a Tsunami cuts away at the mountains and they collapse.
Even in the face of extreme trouble, because of who God is and what He provides for his people…v. 1…we will not fear (afraid or anxious)
Physical (earth give way)
spiritual (God is our refuge and strenght, avery present help in trouble)
has profound effect on the psychological (we will not fear)
Not a shame on you for being afraid. Normal reaction right now is fear…you need to right your soul,
Illus: keel and ballast of a sail boat.
The LORD God is our keel and ballast.
25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you will remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
their offspring shall be established before you.
Why are we and future generations secure and established?
In the face of trouble and chaos, the LORD of hosts, our refuge and strength, helps us.
In the face of trouble and chaos, the LORD of hosts, our refuge and strength, helps us.
With God the waters are no longer menacing seas but a life-giving river. (Kidner 192)
His waters are fully under control and life giving.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
the holy habitation of the Most High.
the city of God…Zion, Jerusalem interestingly does not river either in it or near it. As a result, we know that the Psalmist is speaking figuratively.
The church is peculiarly the “City of God,” of his designing, building, election, purchasing, and indwelling. It is dedicated to his praise, and glorified by his presence. (Spurgeon 341)
How should we understand this river? Go to the end of the Bible and work our way back.
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The life described in and is eternal and ever satisfying.
How should we understand the “city of God” and “the midst of her”
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
Help is near, right at hand. Help is sustained by the One who will never be moved.
help in the morning refers to when the sea closed behind the children of Israel drowning the Egyptian army.
Help will come tomorrow when the morning dawns. His mercies are new every morning.
How do we know this?
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Christ has come into our midst. He lived a sinless life and died a sinners death in our place, suffering the wrath of God on our behalf. He died, was buried, and the morning dawned. He rose from the grave and has now ascended to the right hand of the Father and will come soon. Until then, the Holy Spirit, the Helper has come. He indwells every believer…He is in the midst of His people…He will never leave us nor forsake us. Even though...
ve and has now ascended to the right hand of the Father and will come soon. Until then, the Holy Spirit, the Helper has come. He indwells every believer…He is in the midst of His people…He will never leave us nor forsake us. Even though...
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
He can and will one day bring all things to an end…
until then we sing this refrain...
The first refrain...
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Who is us? his people…those who are trusting in Christ alone for their salvation.
LORD of hosts the Mighty Warrior, the God of the angel armies. He is with us.
He is our fortress…high and safe place. He covenanted himself to be…(God of Jacob)
He is with us most clearly in times of anguish and distress.
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
So What? In the face of trouble and chaos, the LORD of hosts, our refuge and strength, helps us.
So What?
So What?
So What?
Because in the face of trouble and chaos, the LORD of hosts, our refuge and strength, helps us.
Don’t miss this opportunity to behold the works of the LORD.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
v. 8 is an Imperative...
What he has done, revealed in his Word.
Open the Word prayerfully (Use the Psalms)
25 My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
Psalm 119:27
2. Behold what He is doing now.
Illus: Member praying on 60 person conference call with his company.
Share your stories
What he is yet to do.
3. Behold what he is yet to do.
Near future
Consummation of all things. (see next verse)
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.
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
2 responses to Rev. 19
Come Lord Jesus
I am not ready...
Don’t miss this opportunity to cease striving and know that He is God.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. Rebuke to a people ignoring the LORD God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
risen and coming King
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Look to Christ today, confess your sin and need for him, cry out to Him to save you
…then you can say with all of the people of God...
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
He concludes that when it seems the heavens will fall and the mountains be torn from their foundations, the faithful will remain calm and tranquil; this will be evident proof that we trust wholly in the power of God. (Calvin 243)
17 The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
Illus: studying this week and having a hard time focusing…texts, phone, email, news…stumbled on to this song…I wept and rejoiced...
:17Help in Time of Trouble
Prayer
Song “Is He Worthy” by Andrew Peterson
Giving/Sending:
Giving
Text or social media greeting to someone you have not seen...
Live sent wherever you are…
I love you and long to be with you soon.
END
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
Psalm 46Chair Bible: Pg. 471Memorial Day weekend we remember that 75 years ago the allied forces were preparing for the D-Day invasion that would take place on June 6, 1944. We are grateful for sacrifice of so many to maintain our freedom and the cause of freedom in the world. Though most of us are not able to remember, the time was chaotic and bleak, particularly in Europe. History tells us that during that time and others like it, the chaos and brokenness helped turn the hearts of people to the LORD. Main Idea: In the midst of a broken world, the LORD of hosts is our help, and his people rest in him. “[ was Luther’s favorite Psalm. His famous hymn… is taken from it. In the darkest times he used to say, ‘Come, let us sing the 46th Psalm, and let them do their worst.’ It contains “rather the language of faith under threatened difficulties, than of triumph over vanquished foes. (Plumer 523)
Main Idea: In the face of trouble and chaos, the LORD of hosts, our refuge and help, is with us.
“[ was Luther’s favorite Psalm. His famous hymn… is taken from it. In the darkest times he used to say, ‘Come, let us sing the 46th Psalm, and let them do their worst.’ It contains “rather the language of faith under threatened difficulties, than of triumph over vanquished foes. (Plumer 523)
The LORD is our place of rest.
The LORD is our place of rest.
1God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
“Our true security is in God, not in God plus anything else.” Derek Kidner, 192.-
Our true security is in God, not in God plus anything else.
refuge and strength= external and internal.
Derek Kidner, : An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 15, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973), 192.- Refuge = protection from danger or distress, shelter, hope, the main thought here is securityRefuge is defensive, Strength is offensive.- Strength = strength is the other side of security; (He fignts for his people)- Present Help = well proven help, an available and sufficient help, : “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?”“what matters is not whether you have faith but whether what you have faith in is trustworthy.” (Goldingay 67) Our true security is in God, not God plus anything else. (Kidner 174)- We see this clearly in .- Deliverance at the Red Sea is the ongoing illustration of the passage.At the edge of the Red Sea, we see the LORD being the Refuge and Strength of his people…Message of the Bible that His people rest in Him in the midst of a world gone mad while trusting in Him their help and strength…
Refuge = protection from danger or distress, shelter, hope, the main thought here is securityRefuge is defensive, Strength is offensive.- Strength = strength is the other side of security; (He fignts for his people)- Present Help = well proven help, ready, an available and sufficient help, : “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?”“what matters is not whether you have faith but whether what you have faith in is trustworthy.” (Goldingay 67) Our true security is in God, not God plus anything else. (Kidner 174)- We see this clearly in .- Deliverance at the Red Sea is the ongoing illustration of the passage.At the edge of the Red Sea, we see the LORD being the Refuge and Strength of his people…Message of the Bible that His people rest in Him in the midst of a world gone mad while trusting in Him their help and strength…
When are more keenly aware of the LORD as our refuge and strength...
His rest is amidst catastrophe in creation.
His rest is amidst catastrophe in creation.
2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
Illustration: Iceberg slipping off and crashing into the sea. The picture here is of a mountain being buffeted by waves until it trembles and slip into the sea… How immutable - immoveable - is a mountain?!
ESV3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. 4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!
Transition...
His rest is amidst raging of nations.
His rest is amidst raging of nations.
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
description in
ESV1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
- Why? Why will the city of God not be moved? Because God will help her when morning dawns… just as he did the people of Israel against Egyptians. - The word for dawns is an interesting word: turn. In other words, at the moment when the night turns into day.- And this is the same time and the same word used in when God defeated the Egyptians before the Israelites burying them under the waters of the Sea.
ESV27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea.
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
Looks like the world is out of control…God speaks, the earth melts. Praise God that in the midst of the chaos, we, his people, hear his voice...
What does He say to us?
7The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Lord of hosts—God of heavnly armies is with us—strength, power, provisionGod of Jacob— grace, mercy - protection.Illus: Elisha and his servant.
ESV15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
The LORD is more mighty than our enemies. He is a place of rest, and you can rest in him.Illus: recent cover of World Magazine with dictators and despots of the 20th century on the cover…When will we ever learn? China, Cuba, Vietnam, and the former Soviet Union the Lord of hosts is on the move and the gospel is moving... Why?
-At this point the Psalm shifts. The first two stanzas have spoken confessionally, declaratively, factually, making the point that God is definitively and certainly our refuge, strength, and help, and we indeed have no reason to fear. The LORD is our rest.- The final stanza contains imperatives and even first person speech-God speaks in v.10.
8Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
While this is an invitation to rest, God’s not asking; he’s telling. He’s announcing his authority. This is an invitation to find rest rather than judgement; but make no mistake; judgment is coming if they don’t not repent and worship. Return to for illustration
Illustration: Invitation to Egyptians... v. 9 Language does not only point backward but also forward… on day, every war will be ended and every enemy under foot.
ESV3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
-For those who are found in Christ, this will be a blessed and glorious day. For those who are found not in Christ, this will be a horrendous and terrifying day. -We see here an invitation to rest in God but also, in v.10 as he speaks, an announcement , a declaration of the Lord’s ultimate authority.- He announces and appeals to the nations who earlier were said to be raging against God...Announcement / Declaration of the Lord’s ultimate authority. An oracle… here, God speaks
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
So, too, the injunction Be still … is not in the first place comfort for the harassed but a rebuke to a restless and turbulent world: ‘Quiet!’—in fact, ‘Leave off!’ It resembles the command to another raging sea: ‘Peace! Be still! Derek Kidner, : An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 15, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973), 194.
Derek Kidner, : An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 15, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973), 194.
.We his people must heed this command and hold fast to this hope of what is to come. We must be like the people of God with the Red Sea in front of us and the Egyptian army behind us...
ESV13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
ESV17 And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
A missiological invitation in view of an eschatalogical certainty.Joining Pharoahs army is short-term solution with eternal consequences...For those who place their trust in Him, they have a promise and practical hope now and for eternity...
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
The rebuke was made to a restless and turbulent world, but the people of God are meant to hear it, because the refrain is again personal: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Hear and believe .
ESV6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
So What?Am I resting in the LORD who will not be moved?
ESV16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. 1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
ESV1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
END