OceanSide church of Christ

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GOD IS OUR REFUGE

Psalm 46

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Each psalm usually has a theme that can be found therein. 

1.      A theme is the “golden thread” that ties the entire psalm together.

2.      The theme can often be determined by a word or a phrase that is repeated several times by the inspired author.

 

B.      In Psalm 46, there is a word that is found three times in the psalm.

1.      Psalm 46:1

 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 

2.      Psalm 46:7

 

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah.

 

3.      Psalm 46:11

 

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah.

 

C.     The word that is used three times is the word “refuge.”

1.      In Psalm 46:1, the Hebrew word is defined as “a shelter from danger.”

2.      In verses 7 and 11, the Hebrew word is defined as “a cliff, a high place, a lofty or inaccessible place, a secure height.”

 

D.    Thus, the title of Psalm 46 can be “God Is Our Refuge.” 

 

I.                   PROTECTOR (Ps. 46:1-2a)

 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear…

 

A.    God is our protection:  “refuge”

1.      He is our shelter from the storms.

2.      In the psalm, the writer reveals three things from which God’s people are protected.

 

B.      God is our power:  “strength”

1.      God possesses “force” and “might.”

2.      To Abraham, He described Himself as “the Almighty God” (Gen. 17:1).

3.      It is His power and might that causes us to be safe in His arms.

 

C.     God is our present help:  “very present help”

1.      Help involves aid and assistance.

2.      The psalmist describes it as “very present.” 

a.      It appears speedily.

b.      It comes to us in great abundance.

 

D.    The result:  “Therefore will not we fear.”

1.      Because God is our protector, we will not be terrified of the things about us and of the things we face.

2.      To do this means that we must have faith in the fact that God is our refuge, strength, and very present help in trouble.

a.      It is not merely a mouthing of the words.

b.      It involves our resting in the strength of God’s hands.

 

E.      Examples:  Noah, Daniel, the three Hebrew youths

 

II.                PROBLEM #1 (v. 2b-3)

 

..though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.  Selah.

 

A.    We will not fear the physical distresses of this world.

 

B.      The psalmist mentions four environmental disasters of huge proportions.

1.      The removal of the earth. The word removed can mean “changed” and it can mean “to dispose of.”

a.      Weather can radically change the earth:  tornadoes, floods, fires, and hurricanes.

b.      What if the whole of the earth were completely ripped out from under us.

c.       “Therefore will not we fear.”

2.      The mountains cast into the sea.

a.      The strongest, firmest aspects of our world are the mountains. 

b.      How horrific it would be to see them crumble before our eyes and be engulfed in the sea.

c.       One liked it to the reverse of what happened on Day 3 of the Creation Week.

d.      “Therefore will not we fear.”

3.      The seas and the oceans rage with turbulence.

a.      Waves can tower 10, 20 and 30 feet in the stormy winds.

b.      The roaring and crashing of the seas can make it impossible to hear.

c.       The strength of the water is difficult for man to imagine.

d.      “Therefore will not we fear.”

4.      The quaking of the earth beneath our feet.

a.      Just a few seconds of the earth shaking under us will cause individuals to yell and scream in fear. 

b.      In an earthquake individuals flee in order to find places of protection.

c.       “Therefore will not we fear.”

 

C.     Example:  The apostles the stormy Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:40)

 

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful?  how is it that ye have no faith?

 

III.             PLACE (Ps. 46:4-5)

 

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:  God shall help her, and that right early.

 

A.    The place of refuge for the people of God is “the city of God.”

 

B.      Three things bless the city:

1.      A river:  nourishment, cleansing, beauty

2.      God’s tabernacle:  God’s dwelling place provided security and hope

3.      God Himself:  Where God promised to be, there He dwelled.

 

C.     Three benefits of this place:

1.      Gladness:  the city was bright with joy, laughter, glee and rejoicing

2.      She shall not be moved: 

a.      The city would not waver, slip, fall, totter or shake

b.      NOTE:  The world around the city could be crumbling, shaking, and in danger of perishing, but the city of God would remain firm.

3.      God shall help her: 

a.      God’s help was available to the city at the very dawn of peril.

b.      The very moment trouble came against the city, God turned His face toward the inhabitants thereof to succor and support them.

 

D.    Galatians 4:26

 

But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

 

IV.              PROBLEM #2 (Ps. 46:6-7)

 

A.    Social unrest (Ps. 46:6a)

 

The heathen rage, the kingdoms were moved…

 

1.      The heathen are those who are “non-Hebrews.”  Another name for them are Gentiles.

2.      The psalmist tells us that that rage and the kingdoms are moved.

a.      The world seems to be in a constant state of great commotion.  The news is filled with stories about clamour and turbulence in the world.

b.      The kingdoms of men are always tottering, shaking, and falling. 

c.       The world is in a constant state of upheaval and change.

d.      Examples:  USSR, Hong Kong, Afghanistan

 

B.      God’s involvement (Ps. 46:6b)

 

…he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

 

1.      God can easily make corrections in society.  All He has to do is utter His voice.

2.      When He does, the earth melts. 

a.      Melted:  to dissipate, dissolve, disappear

b.      Ultimately, God is in control.  He both establishes and dissolves the powers that be (See Dan. 4:25b).

 

…till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whosoever he will.

 

c.       God can squash any unrest and commotion caused by man.

 

C.     The assurance given to God’s faithful (Ps. 46:7)

 

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah.

 

1.      When there is unrest among men, the Lord’s people have nothing to fear.

2.      They know that God is with them.

3.      They know that God is their refuge.  They are safe in Him.

 

V.                PROBLEM #3 (Ps. 46:8-9)

 

Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.  He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

 

A.    Wars are another massive problem our world faces.  It seems we are either entering a war, in a war, or leaving a war.

 

B.      Wars, however, are not a challenge for God.

1.      The psalmist calls to us, saying:  “Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.”

a.      Desolations

1)      Strong (8047):  ruin

2)      BDB:  waste, horror, appalment

b.      God has the ability to bring all armies to ruin.

2.      The writer sets forth three things God does to make wars to cease.

a.      He breaketh the bow.

b.      He cutteth the spear in sunder.

c.       He burneth the chariot with fire.

d.      LESSON:  There is no weapon that man can devise that God cannot destroy.

 

VI.             THE PREEMINENCE (Ps. 46:10)

 

Be still, and know that I am God:  I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

 

A.    Instead of being troubled and worried, God’s people need to “be still” and know that God is God. 

1.      The word “God” truly means something.

2.      The term “God” involves everything that it means to be deity:  sovereign, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, omnipresent, love, life, and wrath.

 

B.      Ultimately, God will be exalted.

1.      He will be lifted high.

2.      He will be raised above all things.

3.      Everything will be put under His feet.

 

VII.          THE PROMISE (Ps. 46:11).

 

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah.

 

A.    The psalmist ends this song of praise with something that has already been said twice in this psalm.

 

B.      God is with us, and He is our refuge.

1.      He is our cliff.

2.      He is our secure height.

3.      He is our inaccessible place.

4.      He is out retreat.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    The psalmist has assured us in this psalm that God is our refuge.

 

B.      He has taught us that God can protect us from the physical disasters of the world, social unrest, and from wars.

 

C.     They key for us is trust.

1.      Are we willing to rely upon the integrity and power of God?

2.      Or, will we fret and worry about things that are not within the scope of our control?

 

D.    If we are wise, we will do as the old song exhorts, and “flee as a bird to your mountain.” 

1.      There you will find a river of delight.

2.      There you will find the tabernacles of God.

3.      There you will find the presence of God.

4.      There you will find stability.

5.      There you will find God’s help.