July 16, 2011

"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.'"  Psalm 46:10

If problems were hundred dollar bills we'd all be millionaires, right? Our nation could use more millionaires with the financial problems it faces.  We have debt-ceiling problems and the people who are supposed to solve them have problems getting along and are afraid of creating political problems if they don't solve the problem in the right way.

Have you had a problem this week? Has the whole week been a problem? Has your problem been the least of your problems?

You and I were born into a world of problems. When we were growing up our parents had problems. When we got old enough to go to school the math teacher gave us problems. As we went out on our own we inherited our own problems and tried not to create additional ones. We go to work and find problems. We come home and find problems. We turn on the news and here about all the problems in DC and all over the world. We go to church on Sunday and find out it has problems. There is only one place we know about that has no problems but the only problem is we have to die to get there!

 

David, the Psalmist, was familiar with problems. When he was a shepherd he had lion and bear problems but God helped him solve them. As a teen-ager he had a giant problem and God helped him bring down Goliath. As a young adult he has king-sized problems as the jealous King Saul was chasing him.

Having been faced with real problems he had to learn some real solutions - and he did! In Psalm 46 he shares his three step approach to dealing with problems:

Be Still, Vv. 1-3

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

When you are hurting and under pressure you really need to be extra careful what you say! You don't want to allow your pain or your frustration speak for you. That never turns out well and the last thing you need in troubled times is more trouble from self-inflicted wounds or wounding others.

Like your mother told you hundreds of times, "If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all!" Good advice!

Be Strong, Vv. 4-7

 

"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts."

 

Don't speak out in anger or frustration or pain, but be still and know Who God is! It is far better to be silent in faith than to speak out in frustration!

 

What David is urging here is for you to be the strong silent type! If you know Who God is then act like it! Don't panic but praise!

 

Know that God is stronger than your troubles and you can draw from His strengths while you struggle with trouble. Know that His faithfulness and His strength and His grace and His goodness are more real than the troubles you are facing at any given moment.

Be Sure, Vv. 8-11

 

"Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolation he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” 

When trouble comes it helps if you are sure just Who your God is! The Psalms mentions a couple of ways you can be sure:

     Behold, Vv. 8-9

This Psalm was written shortly after God defeated 185,000 of the mighty Assyrians as they threatened the City of God. He sent one angel to destroy the fierce enemy and all those in Jerusalem know about it. They had beheld the power of their God! He is a God Who surely can deliver you in times of trouble!

     Believe, Vv. 10-11

a. Believe in God's Person - "Be still and know that I am God"

The Psalmist uses God's favorite name for Himself - "I AM"! It was the "I AM" Who delivered the Jews out of Egypt by the plagues. It was the "I AM" Who led them through the Red Sea and destroyed the Army of Egypt. It was the "I AM" Who spoke the commandments to Moses on the sacred mount.

b. Believe in God's Plan - "I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

God's plan is to glorify Himself in everything that troubles His people. He allows trouble to come with His permission and when His purpose is fulfilled in His power He will deliver them - just like He did with the Assyrians. All the world heard of them and all the world trembled!

c. Believe in God's Presence - "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."

"The Lord of hosts" refers to God's authority over the angels. God is an omnipresent God and wherever He is all of His angels are there as well!

Your God is a God of refuge in your time of trouble. You can retreat to Him and hide in Him and be safe untile you are delivered from your enemy!

In closing, consider this. Who says when trouble has come? What do we mean by trouble? The word used in the original language means to "be in a tight spot". But think about it. If God has put you in this tight spot it might actually be the right spot for you and what you call trouble - He might call a test!

You need to be okay with that! (See I Corinthians 10:13 and Romans 8:28).

July 15, 2011

"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts."   Psalm 46:4-6

When trouble comes your way, there is a refuge!

Also, when trouble comes there is a river!

What is the significance of that?

Rivers are life-giving bodies of water. They supply a steady and reliable source of water. Most great cities of the wold are situated near a river because of the fresh water supply the  river provides. Also the river provides recreational opportunities for boating, sailing, fishing and swimming. Rivers provide navigation and transportation to allow life-sustaining supplies to be delivered and items to be sent out in trade. The great rivers like the Potomac or the Mississippi or the Nile or the Amazon support and sustain great cities along its banks. In the Bible we are told that when God created Eden, the first paradise, He put a river in the midst of it. We know that there is a crystal river flowing in the midst of the New Jerusalem in Heaven.

Rivers are important! In times of trouble a river can provide a calming influence. Sitting on the banks of a river and watching the boats and barges drift by can be a very calming experience. Wading in the river or going for a swim in the river can be quite calming. It is a good place to retreat when troubles plague you.

While all these benefits are true of an actual river, there is also a spiritual symbolism here. Many have opined that the reference to a river here represents the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. I like that!

Get your mind and spirit around the thought that in troubled times you can flee to God the Refuge and to God the River. Or, take refuge in the Father and find comfort in the Holy Spirit!

Is God is your "Refuge" and He is also your River. Will you flee to Him? Will you hide in Him? Will you rest in your Refuge?

July 14, 2011

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."  Psalm 27:1-3

Trouble is all around us. Maybe it has you surrounded and you don't know where to turn.

I just got off the phone to a pastor friend whose wife is struggling with some serious physical problems and his church is struggling. He is understandably discouraged. Barbara and I wanted to assure him of our love and prayer support. I invite you to pray for him as well - God knows who they are.

The Psalmist was well acquainted with trouble and out of his troubles came most of the beautiful thoughts and words that have inspired so many for so long! You could sum up the 46th Psalm in this way - "Trouble? No Trouble!"

Why is that true?

Because you have a God Who is a refuge! What does that mean? How does that help?

First, it means that God is a personal refuge - "God is OUR refuge and strength....."

A refuge is a place to flee trouble. A refuge is a place of safety. A refuge is a place to hide. For the believer, God is that refuge! You can flee to Him and hide in Him in the day of trouble and be safe!

Furthermore, God is strong and His strength can become your strength because His IS a personal God!

Second, it means God is a present refuge - "an everpresent help in trouble."

Troubles come and go, but when God comes to you and when you flee to Him, He NEVER leaves! He will remain with you after the trouble has subsided. Where ever trouble might find you, God is already there! In fact, trouble has to get through Him in order to get to you and so if it gets to you He has allowed it because He knows that with His present strength you can handle it!

Third, it means God is a powerful refuge - "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

Your God is not only a personal God and a present God but He is also a POWERFUL GOD! When you flee to Him and hide in Him and there is nothing that can trouble you that will be more powerful than Him!

"Though the earth give way" - your powerful God CREATED the earth! So even if your trouble seems bigger than the world and though it seems your world has crumbled - He made the world and He can protect yours! If necessary He can put yours back together!

"and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea" - your powerful God CREATED the mountains AND the seas! Your powerful God can move and mountain and walk on the sea! So why should you be troubled by your troubles when you have such a powerful God?!

"though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." - trouble can rock your world and overwhelm you like an earthquake and a tsunami! But your powerful God will shelter you while He calms the storm! You may be wet and you may be shaken but you won't be harmed because your Personal, Present and Powerful God is your Refuge and your Strength!

Trouble? No trouble!

July 13, 2011

"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with  us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."  Psalm 27:4-7

Here is where it is important to study Biblical history. According to Wikipedia, the ancient city of Jerusalem, being on a mountain, is naturally defensible from almost all sides, but suffers from the drawback that its major source of fresh water, the Gihon spring, is on the side of the cliff overlooking the Kidron Valley. This presents a major military weakness as the city walls, if high enough to be defensible, must necessarily leave the Gihon spring outside, thus leaving the city without a fresh water supply in case of siege.

The Bible says ( 2 Kings 20:20; II Chronicles 32:2-4; II Chronicles 32:30) that King Hezekiah, fearful that the Assyrians would lay siege to the city, blocked the spring's water outside the city and diverted it through a channel into the then Pool of Siloam.

This shows that Hezekiah had planned ahead of time to provide for his people in the time of trouble. The spring of Gihon, located below the steep eastern hill of Ophel in the deep Kidron Valley, Jerusalem’s most ancient water supply, was exposed to enemy attack. Hezekiah diverted the spring through a conduit, 1777 feet long and hewn out of a solid rock, into a reservoir inside the city’s walls. He then completely covered the ancient spring so that the enemy would not know it was there. Throughout the fearful seige there was "a river, the streams whereof made glad the city of God."

A. God Has Revealed Himself in the Midst of His People

Like Hezekiah, God has provided for His people in their time of trouble in three ways:

1. Old Testament-God the Father was a Fountain of Living Waters

Jeremiah 2:13--"My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters."

2. New Testament--God the Son was a Well of Living Water.

John 4:13-14--"But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

3. New Testament--God the Holy Spirit was a River of Living Water---John 7:38--"Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

EACH ONE IS DEEPER THAN THE PREVIOUS.

Like the man of God he was, Hezekiah made sure that he provided a life-giving supply of water so they could survive the attacks of the mighty Assyrians. As good as that was we’ve Got more than Old Testament Saints, Contemporary Saints of Jesus’ day. More than a Fountain or a Well, A River!.



July 12, 2011

"1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, “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 Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."   Psalm 46

 

Introduction:

This Psalm was written after Hezekiah had prayed and God sent one angel to destroy 185,000 Assyrians. So God's people knew what God COULD do for His people who would trust in Him.

In other words, when trouble comes your way - NO TROUBLE!

I. BE STILL AND KNOW HIM AS THE REFUGE--Vs. 1-3

A.  A Personal Refuge--Vs. 1--"God is our refuge"

1. Nations find refuge in Battalions and Battleships

2. Lost men find refuge in Positions and Possessions

a. Battalions--can be defeated

b. Battleships--can be sunk

c. Positions--can be taken away

d. Possessions--can be lost

3. "God" (Elohim) is our refuge"--Elohim is the word for the Triune God---The Enemy will have to go thru all Three to get us.

B. A Powerful Refuge--Vs. 1--"a very present help in trouble."

1. "Trouble" literally means "in tight places."

2. "Present help"--means right now

3. "Very"---means "speedily"--I thought, "How can you be better than present which means "right now". God has no problem with time you will notice it does not say "in the time of trouble." God has the help already there before the trouble arises.

 

C. A Permanent Refuge--Vs. 2- "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

There are Four "Thoughs" illustrating that even if the whole world is destroyed, when all the noise subsides and all the dust settles, he will still be standing because God is his refuge.

Is God your god? If He is, you have a refuge in the time of trouble! When you flee to God as a refuge,

trouble? No trouble!

July 11, 2011

“The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”  Psalm 27:1-3

What is God worth to you?

How would you estimate His value in your life?

How would you express that to Him?

The word "worship" comes from two old English words "worth"  and "ship".  It literally means giving worth to God or expressing His worth.

So, the purpose of worship is to express to God how much you realize He is worth to you. Now when that happens, several other good things begin to happen. As you realize how much He is worth to you you also get a fresh sense of how much you are worth to Him! Also, you begin to understand how valuable others are to Him - and you grasp how much others need Him. As you worship Him your catch a fresh glimpse of His holiness and your unworthiness. That humbles you and causes you to call upon Him more. Calling upon Him fills you with more of His presence and restores your hope - and so it goes! Worship is the life-blood of your Christian commitment!

Think about this:

I wonder what would happen if we applied the same standards of loyalty to our Christian activities that we expect from other areas of our lives? 

If your car starts once every three tries, is it reliable? If the postman skipped delivery every Monday and Thursday, is he trustworthy? If you don’t go to work once or twice a month, are you a reliable employee? If your fridge stops working for a day or two every now and then, do you say, “Oh well, it work most of the time.”? If your water heater provides an icy cold shower every now and then, is it dependable? If you skipped a couple of electricity bill payments do you think Dominion Power would mind? If you fail to worship God one or two Sundays a month, would you expect to be called a faithful Christian? We expect loyalty and reliability from things and other people - isn’t it reasonable then that God just might expect the same from us.

Is God worth one Sunday a month to you?

Is He worth two Sundays a month?

Even if you worship every Sunday, is that enough?

If worship helps you understand and express His worth more effectively, how much worship is enough? How much of God is enough?

Check out Romans 12:1-2 as you prayerfully meditate on these thoughts.

July 10, 2011

"The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.  My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. " Psalm 27

This week we have been hanging out in this great Psalm 27 and considering the essential experience of worship. I have learned some helpful things and I hope you have, too. As you prepare to join your church family for worship, allow me to review some truths with you.

Worship Is A Discipline, Vv. 1-3

If you wait until you feel like worshipping to do it - it probably won't happen. Or if you depend on others like your pastor or your worship-leader to make it happen, that's not good. You are darkness by nature and you are spiritually lost by nature - so if He is to be your Light and your Salvation you will have to take responsibility to live in the Word and walk in His Spirit to overcome the flesh! You must willfully chase God every day and choose to obey Him.

Worship Is A Determination, V. 4

The Psalmist had a single-minded determination to seek God and nothing would divert him or distract him. That is what it takes to worship God. If the enemy can distract you from worshipping you will have a thousand distractions. And if you allow him to divert your attention you will have a hundred throughts flood your mind. Chase God like a hungry dog chases a piece of meat or as a thristy man runs to the cool mountain brook. Remember God has promised those who seek find and those who knock will have the door opened while those who ask will receive.

Worship Is Duration, V. 4

Eternity will be spent worshipping God, so shouldn't you spend your life getting the hang of it? Shouldn't you seek Him all the days that you live? He wants to be worshipped willingly and He wants to be worshipped continually and He wants to be worshipped completely and, of course, He wants to be worshipped personally! And those need to happen 'all the days of your life".

Worship Is Desire, V. 4b

Too often we think this is where worship begins. Actually, it is one of the end results of worship! True worship culitivates a stronger desire for God! You don't await the desire to worship but rather you awaken it! It is awakened by your discipline and your determination and you duration!

And, several other benefits of true worship are these that are listed in this great Psalm:

GOD'S PROTECTION, Vv. 5-6

GOD'S PRESENCE, Vv. 7-8

GOD'S PERSONAL LOVE, V. 10

GOD'S PATH, V. 11

GOD'S POWER, V. 12

GOD'S PEACE, Vv. 13-14

The way of worship is the way to victory and the Psalmist shows you how it can happen. As you worhsipping well? Are you experiencing the benefits of worship? Why? What needs to happen? When will it happen?