Be Still

Point # 1

God Is your Very Present Help!

We can be still because God is our very present help in trouble. This Psalm is written in response to time of various catastrophes. Regardless of the situation or the level of trouble God is our very present help. We have true security in God, not God plus anything else. Just God. The opening phrase means exactly what it says. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help. God is who we find refuge. Its the defensive or external aspect of salvation. In God we find shelter. Shelter or relief from danger or anxiety. In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. (Pr 14:26). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. There are 4 Hebrew words for refuge:: mikgāḇ, a high rock (e.g., Isa. 33:16); măʿōnâ, a secure dwelling place (e.g., Deut. 33:27); mānôs, a place to flee to (Ps. 142:4 [MT 5]); and maḥseh, a shelter (Isa. 4:6). All 4 of these words cover instances in our life. Some we have to go high to escape the enemy, sometimes have seek a secure dwelling spot like that describe in Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, ‘Destroy. (Dt 33:27).

Sometimes we have to flee and sometimes we have just shelter in place! Whatever refuge stance we take the Lord orders it and the is the the place we need to be.

Ill: I must admit that I am COVID tired but if the Lord says Shelter in place. Guess what? I’m sheltering in place!

Not only There in that first verse is the Lord our Refuge he is also our Strength. the quality or state of being strong. I don’t always feel strong but when I am week he makes me strong. We have read The Lord is my strength! When the Lord strengthen us he enables us to act more effectively! Strength implies the dynamic aspect: God within us, to empower the weak for action! I know without a doubt that its the Lord that strengthens me.

There is refuge, there is strength and there is help.! A very present help! The term very present has implications of his readiness to be ‘found’ (as the root is used in, e.g., Isa. 55:6)

6  “Seek the LORD while he may be found;

call upon him while he is near;

7  let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Is 55:6–7).

The LORD is near to all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.

19  He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;

he also hears their cry and saves them.

20  The LORD preserves all who love him, (Ps 145:18–20).

Also God is ‘enough’ for any situation. Yes the Psalmist said therefore we will not fear though the earth gives away, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea though its waters roar and foam though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Listen this is a description of all out calamity. He says the mountains will tremble but notice we will not fear. What appears to be falling apart in life? What seems to be going haywire? What seems unmanageable? What ever it is God can handle it. He will come to our rescue. Don’t worry. God has you!

POINT # 2

Secondly God is in the midst of us

The Psalmist refers to God be in the mist of the City. As he makes his transition describing a river that streams through the city. This shows us how God will provide. As a matter of fact not only provide but send an abundance. here is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High. (Ps 46:4). The psalmist said it this way They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. (Ps 36:8). The other psalmist said, You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it.

10  You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges,

softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. (Ps 65:9–10). This rivers brings joy! As bad as it is in our city we have hope that God will send joy. Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! (Ps 48:1–2). St Luke we have the promise of God on our side. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. (Ps 46:5).

12 And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. (Le 26:12).

14 Because the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and to give up your enemies before you,... (Dt 23:14).

11 And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. (Zec 2:11).

Yes with those promises we can do as the Psalmist instructs. Since he is our refuge and strength an very present help. Since he will be in the midst of us.

We can be STILL.

We can trust that God is working even when we can see him! Be Still have Faith! Be still and KNOW that I am God! You must know God. How many know God! When know him you know he that he will show up! He may not come when you want but he is always on time. 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 (Ps 46:10–11)