Power of Love
Introduction: Understanding Psalm 46
This Psalm is a song of Worship and Praise coming out of 2 Chronicles 20:12-19. 2 Chronicles 20:12-19 is the reflection of the heart of the people when Judah was invaded and the prophecy came forth that God will protect His children. As we read the passage in 2 Chronicles, I want you to see that the battle wasn’t over, in fact it hasn’t even began, but that God promises deliverance from the hand of the enemy.
2 Chronicles 20:12-19 12 Our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” 13Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord. 14Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” 18And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.
This passage shows us that there are battles coming for the believer, God won’t always deliver us from the battles, but will be with us through those battles, if we trust Him in spite of them.
As believers we are not immune from battle, in fact they sometimes come stronger, because the Satan wants us discouraged and weak, God is with those who trust Him. With that said, let’s look at this Psalm of Worship and Praise see how to we are to respond to the trials and tribulations coming our way.
First, let’s see the:
I. Protection of God
A. Security for God’s Children
1. Refuge—a place of safety from the enemy
2. Strength—a stronghold; a fortified place
B. Our Sanctuary—our resting place
Next, we see the:
II. Presence of God
A. Assurance in spite of Outward Circumstances (2-3)
B. His Grace is the Source of Our Refuge (4-7)
1. River=Favor of God (Not Saving Grace)
i. In His Followers (Individually)
ii. In His Body of Believers (Church)
JFB—God’s favor, like a river whose waters are conducted in channels, is distributed to all parts of His Church.
2. Tabernacle—Dwelling Place
i. Contextually, Jerusalem
ii. Today, in the heart of the Believer
3. God is in the Midst
i. God Will Not Abandon Those That Trust Him
ii. God is There to Resist
4. His Grace is Realized at a Crucial Time
C. God’s Presence is the Assurance of Our Protection (verses 7 & 11)
JFB—His presence is terror to our enemies, safety to us.
Now, let’s understand the:
III. Power of God
It is said, “You stop God like you stop a lion--you get out of his way.”
A. Our Responsibility
1. Cease Striving/Be Still
i. Stop Trying to Do It yourself
ii. Stop Working Not without God’s Hand
iii. Literally: Stop trying to Oppose God
B. His Sovereignty
Wayne Grudem—God’s exercise of power over His creation [is also called God’s sovereignty].
1. He’s in Charge
2. He will be Lifted Up—His power will be displayed in His justice
3. He’s our Refuge—a place of safety from the enemy