Refuge, Strength, Ever-Present
Psalm 46
The overarching idea is that the help of God is stronger than any crisis you face.
Perfect life storm: a particularly bad or critical state of affairs, arising from a number of negative and unpredictable factors.
Key scripture: Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
That is the perfect storm of God's faithfulness!
1. Safe Place
Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge..."
Refuge: a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble (Hebrew: khasah = shelter)
When you are threatened or in distress, you can run to God, your refuge.
Shelter in Him, not in place.When you feel fear, anxiety, hopelessness, or shame you can run to Him for safety, security and peace. When you shelter in God, He is the one who keeps you safe.
"In Jesus Christ on the Cross there is refuge; there is safety; there is shelter; and all the power of sin upon our track cannot reach us when we have taken shelter under the Cross that atones for our sins." - A.C. Dixon
2. Strength
Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength..." (Hebrew: oze = strength like a fortress or stronghold
When you are weak, run to God, your strength.
Every miracle begins with a problem. Your sins, your failures, your shortcomings cause God to extend His forgiveness, His mercy, and His grace.
3. Present in our Problems
Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
Hebrew: may-ode = exceedingly, abundant, muchness + ma-tzah = to prove sufficient or able. -> "a very accessible help - one that is easy to be found"
God wants to be found!! God is our refuge and strength. He is a very accessible help in times of trouble. You don't have to search for Him. He is right there, always with you, an ever present help.
When you face trouble, hold to the promise that God is still with you, will always be with you, and will help you.
4. The Father Fights off Fear
Psalm 46:1-2 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear..."
Because of the fact that he is our always there - as our help, refuge and strength - we will not fear.
5. Stop the Storm
Psalm 46:1-2 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear..."
Because your Heavenly Father is always with you, you don't have to be afraid.
“In the secret of God's tabernacle no enemy can find us, and no troubles can reach us. The pride of man and the strife of tongues find no entrance into the pavilion of God. The secret of his presence is a more secure refuge than a thousand Gibraltars. I do not mean that no trials come. They may come in abundance, but they cannot penetrate into the sanctuary of the soul, and we may dwell in perfect peace even in the midst of life's fiercest storms.” The Joys of A Christian Life by Hannah Smith
Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Remember: the help of God is stronger than any crisis you face.