Consider with me this morning -- one of the most powerful promises in all of God's Word! -- "God is our refuge & strength, a very present help in trouble." -- It is found in Psalm 46:1-10.
What a marvelous passage! -- I've read this passage over & over -- dozens of times -- & I'm still overwhelmed by it!
God's Word is so powerful to us here!
God is telling us that never again do you need to fear!
It doesn't matter if the whole world is in turmoil; -- the earth may quake -- the oceans may swell -- the mountains may crumble into the sea.
Things may be in complete chaos; -- a total uproar all around you; -- yet you need not fear!
Because God is our refuge -- we can have peace like a river.
Even while all the nations of the world may rage -- powerful streams of joy may flow to our hearts. -- Our hearts can be filled with gladness.
Right now -- the whole world is in a fearful time.
Nations the world over -- are trembling over terrorism.
No region of the world is immune to terrorist threats.
Furthermore -- personal troubles & suffering are mounting.
Yet -- in the midst of it all -- Psalm 46 echoes to God's people the world over -- God's promise: -- "I am in your midst; -- I am with you through it all; -- I am an ever-present help in time of trouble."
Do you grasp what the Lord is telling us in this Psalm?
Our God is available to us at any time -- day or night.
He is continually at our right hand -- willing to speak to us & guide us.
He has made this possible by giving us His HS -- to abide in us.
The Bible tells us that JC Himself is in us -- & we are in Him!
Yet -- I am not sure that I for one fully comprehend this truth!
I doubt that any Christian comprehends this truth completely.
If we are honest -- we will admit that our concept of God's abiding presence is very inadequate!
Many of us picture the HS as dwelling in some little chapel He's built in our heart.
Then -- when we need Him -- we run to that chapel & bang on the door until He answers. -- But this concept is not Biblical at all!
I believe the Lord wants to open wide our concept of God through this powerful & beautiful Psalm! -- Psalm 46!
God knows that we all face deep needs & troubles.
We all encounter turmoil -- temptations -- times of confusion -- that cause our souls to quake.
God's message for us here in Psalm 46 -- is meant for just such times as these. -- What's the message?
Simply this: - if we give in to fear - if we become downcast & full of despair -- we're living absolutely contrary to God's present reality in our lives!
God has given us all of His rich & wonderful promises -- that by these promises -- we might be partakers of His divine nature!
Supernatural peace is a part of God's divine nature.
And of all His wonderful promises -- Psalm 46 is one we need -- in order to obtain His peace like a river.
1. There is an ever-present evil!
The Apostle Paul reminds us that "we wrestle not against flesh & blood -- but against principalities -- against powers -- against the rulers of the darkness of this world -- against spiritual wickedness in high places."
My friends -- there is a very real enemy of our souls!
And this enemy is at work against us day & night.
We must -- we must understand this!
If we don't -- if we're ignorant of what our battle is -- & who we're fighting -- then we'll surely be defeated.
From the Gospels to the Epistles -- from the Epistles to Revelation -- the entire NT warns us not to be ignorant of Satan's devices.
This doesn't mean we're to fear -- or magnify the devil's power.
But Satan is still the "mighty prince of the power of the air." -- & "he is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God."
He rules an evil empire of demonic powers!
These principalities do his constant bidding -- continually harassing God's people.
I believe our God is all-powerful; -- but I also believe He limits Himself.
Evil is strong. -- And it is greatly to Satan's advantage to incapacitate us.
Anything to keep us from wholeness. -- He'll exploit our weakness - like a boxer jabbing again & again at a sore jaw or bloody eye.
And he does not quit!
This is why we are urged to -- "Be sober, be vigilant; -- because your adversary the devil -- as a roaring lion -- walks about -- seeking whom he may devour: -- whom (we are to) resist steadfast in the faith."
The disciple Peter experienced this first-hand.
Jesus had warned him: -- "Simon, Simon, behold Satan has desired to have you -- that he may sift you as wheat."
Jesus knew the devil wanted this disciple Peter.
And Jesus gave Peter ample warning about what was to come.
The Apostle Paul understood what this was all about.
Every day of his life -- Satan dogged this devoted apostle with harassing attacks out of hell.
We have a record of these assaults in the book of Acts -- & in Paul's own letters to the church.
We see him being buffeted at every turn -- in body, mind & spirit -- even to the point of physical death.
Yet through it all -- Paul says that God supplied him with a more sufficient grace.
And this may even describe you! --
Satan & his rulers will come after you with accusations -- hindrances --
& lies that flood your thoughts.
You'll be tempted -- persecuted -- interrupted in your prayers.
You must understand - it is all a conspiracy of evil - aimed straight at your faith in God.
Satan won't bother harassing his own children.
That's because he has no controversy with them.
Jesus says of such people: -- "You are of your father the devil -- & the lusts of your father you will do."
No -- the devil's weapons are aimed at those who have set their hearts to seek & follow God's Son -- JC.
If you're a believer -- there is something you must realize!
You will never be free from the devil's assaults.
Satan has one thing in mind -- & that is to undermine your faith.
He wants you to doubt God's love & God's faithfulness.
So he'll bombard you with troubles & trials -- until finally you begin to wonder -- "How could the Lord be with me in the midst of all this?"
There is, my friends, an ever-present evil!
That's the bad news; -- but now here is the good news!
2. There is an ever-present help!
God has promised us -- in your time of trouble -- when you face a persistent, ever-present evil -- He will be your ever-present help!
The phrase "ever-present" means -- "always here -- always available -- with unlimited access."
In short -- the abiding presence of the Lord God is always in us & with us
The writer of Psalm 46 -- discovered a way to face unsettling -- earth shaking changes, such as mountains being "carried into the midst of the sea" -- nations raging & kingdoms crumbling.
He found refuge in God -- & he discovered quietness of heart in the knowledge that the Lord is in control!
Yes -- we live in a day of change & uncertainty.
Every where people are cynical & afraid.
But as Christians -- we can thank the Lord we have a living, sovereign God who loves us & who never changes!
And He is our ever-present help!
Missionary Larry Smith understood this truth as he stood outside the operating room doors of a hospital in
He had never felt more alone. --
His wife, Bev, was away & could not be reached.
No one knew he was facing a life-or-death situation.
No one -- except God! -- His ever-present-help!
Earlier that day, Larry had been called home from the mission school where he was administrator. -- His son Doug had been hurt.
He could see no injuries -- although Doug was obviously in pain.
When Doug's pain intensified -- Larry thought, -- “I had better get him checked.' -- So he headed for the hospital.
Not overly concerned, he stopped to put air in a low tire.
But Doug's condition worsened quickly -- so Larry sped to the E-room.
By the time he arrived -- his son was nearly unconscious.
The medical staff took one look & sprang into action.
The examining doctor said solemnly: -- "Your son has a ruptured spleen. -- We must operate immediately."
Larry nodded -- & they wheeled his son away.
Larry testified later -- "I realized then that it was just God & me -- so I cried out to Him. -- His presence gave me the confidence I needed."
His son survived. -- But Larry Smith learned what it means to have an ever-present help! -- To take refuge in God!
You & I face situations beyond our reserves -- but never beyond God's resources!
What we call adversity -- God calls opportunity!
The Lord can & will use surprising things to aid & protect you in your time of need. -- He is indeed a "very present help in trouble."
Read & study the Word of God -- & you will discover God has the answer for your every need!
When you become impatient about a delayed answer to your prayer, remember the words: -- "For you have need of patience -- that after you have done the will of God -- you might receive the promise."
When you need guidance -- discover the words of Jesus -- "Take my yoke upon you & learn of me" -- & realize you are in a learning process.
When you become anxious about the future -- find great assurance in the words: "The Lord will perfect that which concerns us."
When things don't change fast enough to suit you -- remember the words: -- "But the God of all grace -- who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus -- after that you have suffered a little while -- make you prefect -- establish, strengthen, settle you."
Do you need consolation for troubled thoughts? -- Hear the words of Isaiah -- "When the enemy shall come in like a flood -- the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."
Remember that we are given grace to live only one day at a time!
Learn the lesson of thanking God in everything as a sure way to dispel gloom!
God will help you cope with every life situation -- "for in him we live -- & move, & have our being."
He says to us, “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God -- for there we will receive his mercy, & we will find grace to help us when we need it."
He is our ever-present help! -- Our refuge!
That -- my friends -- is good news!
But there is one more thing I have discovered!
3. There is also the ever-present problem of unbelief!
My friends -- do you really believe what I am saying today?
So often we profess to with our lips -- but in our hearts there is the ever present problem of unbelief!
The people of
The Lord led them through the wilderness with a cloud by day & a pillar of fire by night.
These super-natural works were visible reminders to God's people of his constant presence with them.
God was at their right hand every hour of the day & night.
He led them like a gentle, caring shepherd.
When they obeyed Him -- they were safe & at peace -- no matter what obstacles they faced.
Yet -- in spite of God's loving guidance -- the Bible says -- "They believed not in God -- & trusted not in His salvation: -- though He had commanded the clouds from above -- & opened the doors of heaven."
Because they failed to trust in God -- they ended up lost -- wandering in confusion the rest of their days!
Now I want to return to where we started -- with Psalm 46.
This most powerful promise describes our ever-present help in God!
It speaks of His ever-present strength -- His help in time of trouble -- His peace in the midst of chaos.
God's presence is with us at all times - & His help always arrives on time
Sadly -- we are today much like
In spite of God's great promises to us; -- in spite of His assurances of peace, help & full supply -- we don't trust Him completely.
Instead -- we complain, saying: "Where is God in my trial? -- Is He with me or not? -- Where is there any evidence of His presence? -- Why does He keep letting theses hardships pile up on me?"
How does God react to our ever-present unbelief?
He said of
The end result was -- they were not allowed to enter the promise land because of their unbelief!
Today -- I hear the Lord asking his church: -- "Do you believe I still speak to my people? -- Do you believe I desire to give you my help & guidance? -- Do you truly believe I want to help you daily -- hourly -- moment by moment?"
I remember hearing Rev.
He described his godly mother & told how she would tell him what God was saying to her.
My dear friends -- the very Creator of the universe wants to speak His very thoughts with us!
God spoke to His people in the past -- & He's speaking to His people now -- & He'll continue to speak to us till the very end of time -- if we will only listen & obey!
More to the point -- God wants to speak to you about your problem today!
He may do it through His Holy Word -- through a godly friend -- or through the Spirit's still, small voice, whispering: -- "This is the way -- walk in it."
I hear some Christians say: -- "The Lord never speaks to me. -- I don't ever hear His voice." -- Look at verse 10! -- "Be still & know...."
Jesus Himself said: -- "My sheep hear my voice -- & they follow me."
And Jesus -- the Good Shepherd -- will never let Satan deceive any saint who trusts fully & completely in His abiding presence.
He promises to speak clearly to all who will commune daily with Him through prayer.
No matter what method He uses -- you will recognize His voice.
The sheep know the voice of their Shepherd.
And He wants to be our ever-present help -- if we will only truly believe -- if we will only trust Him & obey Him.
Conclusion: --
"God is our refuge & strength, a very present help in trouble."
What a powerful promise!
Do you grasp what the Lord is telling us in this Psalm?
Our God is available to us at any time -- day or night.
He is continually at our right hand -- willing to speak to us & guide us & enable us.
Problems -- difficulties -- disappointments -- misunderstandings -- unjust criticism -- misfortune -- sickness -- pain -- sorrows -- troubles.
We all have them!
They come to all of us! -- Saints & sinners alike.
But we do not need to hoe the road of life alone!
There is an ever-present evil -- but we need not fear!
Our relationship to God makes all the difference -- when we are faced with adversity.
For God has promised us -- in our time of trouble -- when we face a persistent, ever-present evil -- He will be our ever-present help!
Won't you lay aside your unbelief -- your doubts -- & take God at His Word of encouragement today!
Trust Him -- listen to Him -- & obey Him!
Experience for yourself the power of God -- the presence of God -- the peace of God!
He is the