God Our Refuge And Strength
Jeremy Bell
Psalm 46:1-11
March 15, 2020
Sermon Video
Main Theme: Despite our circumstances, God’s people rest secure in His protective presence
I. God is our protector (verse 1)
- “God is our refuge and strength”
- A refuge is a place of protection, a safe shelter from harm
- We need God’s refuge because of the chaos in our world (vv.2-4)
- His power and sovereign might reassures us of His ability to always accomplish His will, regardless of the present difficulty – (vv. 8-9)
II. God is present with His people (verse 1b)
- “A very present help in trouble”
- The people of God are not exempt from trouble, but we do have the promise that the Lord will be with us through it all
- In vv. 7 and 11 David repeats the truth of God’s presence – “The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
III. God is our peace (verse 10)
- “Be still and know that I am God”
- Just the uttering of His voice (v.6) causes reality to be changed
- So when we consider the character and power of God, we can rest at peace
Application
1. Let us rest and be glad in God
- “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God” – v.4
- This mighty river, signifying God’s regular provision, will carry to us all the supply that we need
- And the city of God (God’s people) can rest secure, and be glad, when we know the King is watching over His city
2. Let us pray
- Crying out to God is evidence that we find our rest, and our hope, in Him
- “If my people, who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14
3. Let us act with courage and love
And now…is the time for all of you who love souls. You may see men more alarmed than they are already; and if they should be, mind that you avail yourselves of the opportunity of doing them good. You have the Balm of Gilead; when their wounds hurt, pour it in. You know of Him who died to save; tell them of Him. Lift high the cross before their eyes. Tell them that God became man, that man might be lifted to God. Tell them of Calvary, and its groans, and cries, and sweat of blood. Tell them of Jesus hanging on the cross to save sinners. Tell them that.” — Charles Spurgeon
Questions For Discussion/Application:
- Re-read the text, Psalm 46:1-11. What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
- What does it mean that God is our refuge?
- To what else, other than God, can we at times look to as our refuge in trouble?
- What practical difference can it make in our lives in the midst of this pandemic of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) to remember that God and God alone is our refuge?
- God is “a very present help in trouble (1b).” What does it mean that God is a “very present help.” What practical difference can this truth make in our lives generally — and in this season as well?
- In what ways have you found God to be very present help when you have experienced trial and difficulty?
- Re-read verse 10. What about who God is — His character, what He is like — helps us to rest and be at peace?
- Consider taking time to pray that God would help us, in particular in this unique time, to put our hope and trust in God.