Sunday Service: 29/05/2022
Supporting Scripture: Psalm 46:1–7
Title of Message: A Very Present Help in Times of Trouble
Delivered by: Pastor Mercy
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.”
The pathway of life is filled with difficult times, beginning with the difficult experience of birth. Starting school is a trying experience for a child. Having your child leave home to go away to college, the army or get married is difficult for parents. At times securing a job can be a tough experience especially when you’re overqualified or under qualified. For some there are many disappointments along life’s pathway.
At some point in our lives, we will face circumstances we feel are more than we can handle. All of us here have or will experience a deep empty and helpless feeling of being able to do nothing to change our situation. And I believe that is the reason why the Lord gave us this 46th Psalm to let us know that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble.
The Hebrew word for trouble (tsarah) literally means a narrow or tight place where a person is unable to move. It is also used to describe severe pressure. We all face situations beyond our control, but we do not have to face them alone. When trouble strikes, God is present. In fact, He is always there with us, immediately available to help us when trouble arises. The word ‘very’ is and adverb and indicates that God is exceedingly or speedily present. Not even a second goes by when we have to face our troubles alone, or in our own strength.
The psalmist found in God the strength he needed for his time of trouble.
I. God is our refuge.
In the days of the psalmist, people needed a refuge in the time of storm and in the time of danger when enemies approached. Often, they would build a refuge in the form of a tower on the top of the highest hill reachable. In this place of refuge, they sought safety. Today God is the refuge (in the person of the Holy Ghost) Who is with us that believers run to when threatened by the storms of life.
II. God is our strength.
We can receive strength from our friends, our family, and even from financial resources. But the greatest strength that can meet the deepest needs of our lives when the storms of life strike is that which can be found only in the Lord. He can give us the strength to adjust to new and difficult circumstances. He can give us the strength to look back and be grateful. He can give us the strength to look forward with hope.
A songwriter once said,
God has not promised us sunshine….That’s not the way it’s supposed to be…..But a little rain…… mixed with God’s sunshine…A little pain, makes us appreciate the good times……..so Be grateful, because there’s someone else who’s worse than you, be grateful…..Because there’s someone else who’d love to be in your shoes….Be grateful, God said He would never, never leave you nor forsake you.
III. God is our helper.
God will help us through his Holy Scriptures as we claim his precious promises. And the Holy Spirit will come alongside us to serve as our Comforter. (Psalms 121:1-2)
I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
It doesn’t matter how stormy the seas are around you, Jesus is still Lord of your life, and nothing can take you out of His hand.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus is your refuge and strength?
Isn’t it wonderful to know that His all-seeing eye is watching over you!
Isn’t it wonderful to know that He will come speedily to your side when you call upon Him!
His ear is not deaf! His eye is not blinded that He cannot see your need! His power is not limited and there is nothing too hard for Him to do.
I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow. We should not worry about the future, because our times are in God’s hands. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
In other words, God won’t put anything more on you than what you can bear. He is the great I AM. He is the God who brought water from the rock in the Wilderness. He will give you what you need when you need it. He is our Father, and we have nothing to fear!
God will help you with your burdens, and he will help you with your decisions. Let us always remember that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”