Psalm 46
Notes
Transcript
God our refuge
God our refuge
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
Selah
Therefore.
Because God is our refuge.
Because God is our strength
Because he is our very present help in trouble/an abundantly available help
we will not fear/be afraid
Even though - the present situation may look bleak. Listen to this description the psalmist gives. Yet is all this, God is our refuge
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.
Selah
“For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
We can go before Him at any time, unlike the high priest or the people
The Spurgeon Study Bible: Notes Chapter 46
If, indeed, the Lord is our refuge and strength, we are entitled to seek after a spirit that will bear us above the dreads of common men. Not everyone can sing this psalm of peace amid commotion and calamity. We must belong to the believing company; we must have the Lord as our God; and we must have learned the art of prevailing prayer. No man can truly sing this psalm but those who are redeemed from the earth.
Scripture calls us to live above fear
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The psalmist describes peace in Jerusalem . The Lord and His people - unmovable. God is her help. The earth melts but His people are safe
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah
He is with us. We are not abandoned. We are not alone
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
The works of God -
wars will end, oppressors will be defeated, peace will one day reign
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Be Still - release, let go
Know - learn, realize
The NET Bible Psalm 46
He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God!
He Will be exalted
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah
What storm is going on around you?
What enemy is attacking?
What is pulling at you to pull you down, discourage you?
What is trying to take you off the path?
We have a refuge. He is with us.
Do we KNOW that? DO we know it in our heart?
We can quote scripture. We can tape promises to the refrigerator.
Are they embedded in our hearts and minds?
This has to be something we live. This has to be real to me, to you.