Psalm 46
We need to unite ourselves around the empowering truth of Psalm 46. It is addressed to people who are in fear that life is out of control
When everybody, man, it’s good to have everybody out there. Um, like you to turn to Psalm 46 this morning, I’m leaving our series still speaking, which is a biographical series we have been doing as a staff. Um, I did not make that decision to not go with the individual. I was going to be preaching on this morning until later this week.
I just felt really constrained to bring a message, a little different. We’re going to be reading Psalm 46 in a moment. Um, four years ago on the Sunday after the 2016 presidential election, I presented a short challenge to you. We had just concluded a rancorous conflicted season. I said, we all needed to respond with gentleness to put aside anger and bitterness.
And put our energies into doing the work of serving and loving as Jesus people, the church are always called to do. And the challenge that I presented with simply we need to be the church this morning. Here we are. Four years later, the heated intense, close, controversial election has just happened. Some are ecstatic with the results.
Others are crushed. Most are relieved. It’s over. Some are determined. It’s not, this is a moment of emotional response is not the least of which is apprehension for the future. I like to present a challenge for this moment in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Four years ago, I felt constrained to emphasize the theme, be the church this morning.
I’d like to emphasize, let God be God. I think we need to unite ourselves around the empowering truth of Psalm 46. It is addressed to people who are in fear that life is out of control. They feared what was happening. They feared even more. What might happen into such a context comes this invigorating song pointing the way to a big and majestic God.
The Psalm is divided into three sections and each section ends with the word Sila. Oh, the NIV doesn’t have that because I’m not sure why they don’t have that. Actually, I was trying to understand that, but, um, the, the word Sila is actually in the text. It is a term that most believe was a musical. It was, it was a term that was expressed.
To the musicians, but it had a specific meaning. It meant to pause to wait and many believers what was going on when they said, see LA at the end of these verses was, they said, okay, here, stop singing, just play music and get people then to think about what they’ve just sung or read. And so basically Sila.
Is a way for the Psalmus to say, okay, stop for a minute and think about what I just said, permeate on it, meditate on it, reflect process a fly. And I’d like to look at these three truths that are presented to us. The first of which is verses one through three. And here’s what we read. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear though. The earth gives way though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea though. Its waters, roam and foam, roar, and foam though, the mountains tremble at its swelling. Sheila. Think about that. Let’s pray. And then we’re going to look at this text. Lord, we come to you this morning.
God, we love your word. We love the relevance, the practical insight that it always gives to us. When we take time to just listen and learn. Lord, I love you for this text that you speak so much to moments in our lives that feel a little unsettling when life feels. Out of control future. We’re not sure where things are going.
So Lord, may you help us to think about these truths that you give us about yourself this morning in Jesus name? Amen. The first thing we read here in verses one through three is the truth that God is with us to overcome our fears. He says in verse one, God is a. Refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
It’s an interesting combination of terms, this idea of refuge strength and help, because it’s the exact same thing that the prophet Isaiah emphasized in a very well-known verse, Isaiah 41, 10, where he says this fear, not for, I am with you, be not dismayed for, I am your God. I will strengthen you. And I will help you.
The word strengthen means to have our inner life strengthened. There is a, there is an empowering that comes from within, but a lot of times in our lives, we, we don’t need as much as we do need that, that isn’t all we need. We also need somebody to fight for us. We also need aid. We need, we need support and help.
We need to know that God, you’re going to, you’re going to see this thing through. Yes, you give me strength within you re renew my spirit. You can calm me. You can settle me. But I also need to know you’re fighting for me that you will help me. And he says, here, God is a help in trouble. He will aid you in danger and overwhelming circumstances.
He will do for you, what you cannot do for yourself. But he says, He is a present help in trouble. I’ve had a couple of times when I’ve been away on trips. Um, one was when I was doing my doctorate ministry course out in Chicago and another was when I was at a board meeting, uh, for mission I served on and twice I remember getting calls from Maryanne and we were always checking in every day, of course.
And. Um, but stuff was going on and I can still remember. She said, I, I need you here. And one time I actually left, I left the board meeting and came home just because of stuff that was going on. And the Psalmist is saying, he’s not just a help. He’s here. He’s a present help with us. And with you. But not only that he’s a very present help.
And the word actually means he’s, he’s exceedingly present. I mean, he’s, uh, he’s as real in his presence as you could possibly be. Now. Now I’ve had conversations with, with, with my wife, uh, more times than I’d like to acknowledge where we’ll be in the conversation and all of a sudden, you know, we’re, she’ll just stop and she’ll say.
Where are you? You know, I thought this was a conversation, but you’re not here. Well, I’m sorry, babe. I’m here, right? No, no, I’m not here. Right? I was present, but I wasn’t very present. He’s very present. He’s near, he’s a very present, help, wherever we are, wherever you are. I’ve been doing this series and many of our small groups, a few hundred of us start studying the OSS series and the whole focus of the series is presenting the seven characteristics of God that he gives of himself to all of us that when we’re stunned with who he is, it has the design of.
The fear of God and the all of God places and overcomes the fear of our lives. The one. And you’ll see this when you get to session seven, that is most often repeated in the scripture as the truth about God that is most highlighted to help us overcome our fears is to all of us with this reality, God is with you.
He says it over and over and over again to people that are scared. Spitless he says God’s with you
and the results here in verse two and three, it says, it says, you know what? Even if the earth gives way, even if the mountains sink into the. Into the heart of the sea. We will not fear. Now it’s a striking statement. This phrase, where he says, if the earth gives way, the word or the verb gives way is, is one word in the original.
It actually means if it’s changed many of the old Testament passage, it says it’s exchange. The idea is if, if the world around you is totally changed, If the parties in leadership has changed, if the whole world and all that’s going on is changed. He says, we don’t have to fear. We don’t have to be because it’s different.
And because things are unknown, he says, God will still be God. Now for these people change for them. As far as from a political standpoint, meant that opposing powers would come in and dictatorial leader subjugate them in most cases, take them away. Slaves, even if everything seems out of control and dangerous is what he’s saying.
We won’t fear why? Because the creative sovereign God is with us because he does not waste experiences. And he is the foundation we rest on in the midst of change. God is with us to overcome our fears. He says, think about that. And then he goes on in verses four to seven. There’s a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the Holy habitation of the most high God is in the midst of her.
She shall not be moved. God will help her. When morning dawns the nations rage, the kingdoms totter, he utters his voice. The earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. See LA, think about that. Okay. The second truth we find presented that we are challenged to think about is the fact that God is with us to bring joy in himself.
It’s a couple of phrases here in verse four. I want to, I want to take a minute with, he says there’s a river whose streams make glad the city of God. Now this is not talking about the bricks and mortar. It’s talking about the people. That God makes it it’s allegorical. And the word city of God actually was picked up in the fourth century, a D by one of the greatest Christian theologians of all time, a guy named Saint Augusta and Augusta, and actually wrote a book that was called the city of God.
It’s one of the most famous, theological, philosophical Christian writings ever. And basically what he’s presented he says is basically in the world, there are two kingdoms. There are there is the kingdom, or excuse me, the city of man as he calls it, which is basically humankind what the new Testament regularly calls the world, which is the system of people whose lives.
Are still under the domination of the flesh of the sinful nature and their inclination. And this is all of us apart from Christ and before Christ in our lives, we are inclination of our heart is away from God, and this is the system of the world, but then he says, but there is also another Pingdom. That is operating as a sub kingdom in the midst of a counter kingdom.
And that is called the city of God. It is the people of God. It is those who are owned by Christ who have made Christ center of their lives Lord of their lives. They’re now living toward the glory of that Christ. The city of God is an expression for the people of God. And then he says this. There’s a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the stream of water throughout the scripture, both old and new Testament continually talks about the sense of God’s Spirit’s work in our lives.
Jesus presented this most beautifully in John seven, where he says this, whoever believes in me as scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them by this. He meant the spirit. Whom those who believed in him were later to receive John seven 30, eight and 39. He says, the spirit is bringing, uh, this, this, this attitude, or this atmosphere of gladness to the people of God.
It is the river that is flowing through the lives of the city of God, his own people. And the result is here in verse five. He says, God’s in the midst or shall not be moved. God will help her. When morning dawns the nations rage, the kingdoms totter. But he says, but for the people of God in verse four,
they have gladness parallel passage to Habakkuk three, where Habakkuk has been moaning and groaning about all the negative things that were happened to the nation of Israel. They had people coming against them. They were being subjugated. I mean, things were, were a mess. And the Lord kept reminding him, but remember me, but remember me, but remember me and finally Habakkuk at the end of the book says this.
He says in verse 17 and 18 of Habakkuk’s three, he says, you know what, though? The fig tree should not blossom. Newer fruit beyond the vines, the produce of the aisle, uh, olive fail and the fields you’ll know food, food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there’ll be no herd in the stalls yet. Will I rejoice in the Lord?
I will take joy in the God of my salvation. He says, I get it. God. He says my joy and my hope and my happiness. Don’t have to be dependent circumstance circumstantially that you are offering yourself to be my joy. You’re the river that makes glad the city, the people of God, six weeks ago, to a young couple drew and Trish Lindo, they received staggering news.
Drew and, and Trish have been we’re part of our church. Uh, drew grew up in our church. They were a part of our, our callings would campus for a handful of years. They then have now they moved up to Vermont. The last, who used to be a part of a church plan up there. And Trish was in her eighth month of pregnancy, about six weeks from delivery.
And just under that. When they went in for the ultrasound and there was no response. And they were told that the, the child was gone eventually. Um, she delivered a stillborn girl and yesterday, uh, Trish posted this on Facebook. I don’t quite know how to write this. And interestingly, the child’s name, the girl’s name is Sila today was Celia’s due date.
This was yesterday for eight months. I carried her and looked forward to this day in anticipation of her arrival. I couldn’t wait to find out what gender our baby was. What color, hair, and eye she would have sh would she looked more like me or drew? Couldn’t wait to introduce you to her sisters who are so eager to meet her.
The Lord had other plans for my baby’s life. The Lord took her to heaven on October 5th and our lives have forever changed this last month. Although it has been the toughest I’ve ever faced has drawn me to the Lord in ways that I never imagined possible. Every day since her passing, the Lord has given me peace every single day.
Yes. I have never been more grieved
heartbroken in my entire life, but through it all. And in his kindness, he has given both drew and I peace, a peace that I don’t believe is humanly attainable. The only explanation I have is this Philippians four seven, and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ.
Jesus. That is exactly what my heart and mind are experiencing these days. I just want to praise God so much for giving that to me. The Lord has also given us joy today was hard for sure moments every day that bring tears to my eyes. But in the midst of sorrow, we are finding intense joy, joy in the stories we are hearing about how seal his life has already.
Impacted others joy in our two healthy, beautiful girls, joy in our marriage, joy in the certainty of knowing we will see, see loss someday and ultimate joy in Christ and what he has done for us on the cross and his continued work in our lives. I read this quote and I absolutely love it. Joy is not the absence of pain, but the presence of Jesus.
Joy is not found in our circumstances. She says it’s found in Jesus. I know this for certain now because I’m living proof of it. Brothers and sisters, the devil wants to take your joy. And if your joy is ultimately found in your circumstances, then he can.
but if your joy is in God, he cannot take your God. The Psalmist says in times of upheaval and confusion, that God is bringing gladness. He’s the river that is making glad the people, the city of God, you’re that city you’re that people, if you know, Christ. And one of the incredible realities that he is offering to people in times it seem uncertain, is it, God is the one who is bringing joy.
And he says, think on that, think on that. The third thing he says is this. God is with us to control our world. Verse eight through 11, come behold, the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes Wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, the bow and shatters the spear.
He burns the chariots with fire. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I’ll be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Think on that, I’ll accomplish my purposes. He says, this whole song is highlighting. Let God be God, let him do his thing.
Let him rule the world. Let him overcome your fear. Let him bring you joy. We have a guy on our church board. Remember every time I read this words, be still and know that I am God, I, my mind goes here. First. He had lost a career position. He had lost his job. He and his wife were really, I mean, it was overwhelming.
What does this mean? Are we going to have to move? What’s going to happen to us? What’s the next step? In the midst of that confusion and exhaustion, which those times of course are exhausting, right? I mean, you’re just trying to hold onto the Lord, but you’re also fighting your thoughts all the time and, and, and worries can be loud and the voice can be loud.
And the devil knows the buttons to push in the midst of that. They were, they wanted to lean into, to Christ. And one day they were taking a walk in their neighborhood and it was a particularly challenging time in this whole journey. And they just stopped to check the mail as they were going out. As I understand the story and they opened the mailbox socks, and, uh, there was a postcard there and it was sent by a pastor, Ralph from our staff.
And basically it was, it was facing up and they took it out and it basically said one thing. Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted. Now. Remember when, when Bob first told me the story of that and how God just verbally said, I’ve got it. I’ve got you. I’ve got this. We can be still, we can believe that he is the God moving and shaking.
Not only in the nations, but the cosmos. And he says, look,
I make war cease to the end of the earth. I break the bow and shattered the spear. I burned the chariots of fire. I’m the Lord of hosts. Um, your fortress be still and know that I’m God, God has this. He has you, he raises up Kings and sets them down. The apostle Paul said there’s no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted. God establishes God, institutes, whatever word you’re comfortable expressing his sovereignty. Theologically, God allowed it. God decrees it, God chooses it.
What he’s saying is God’s over it. He’s over all the nations. He sovereignly reigning. And as this prophet, Daniel said, God sets up Kings and God takes him down. We put our trust in God to be at work and to be doing his work right in every age and generation. God uses Kings premiers, prime ministers, dictators presidents to do his real work.
And to sort of get out of the way of the real work that’s going on, which is the establishment of his kingdom through his people. That’s the real city of God in the midst of the city of man. So all of us let’s focus on what matters most being the bride of Jesus, the Saul, the life, the children of his kingdom marked by humility, gentleness, faith, generosity.
And as G and remember, as James says to the early Christians and he speaks not only to how we talk to each other face to face, but how we do it on social media platforms, he says, let all this be Swift to hear, slow, to speak, slow to become angry because of wrath, man, doesn’t produce the righteousness of God and we are called to live out the righteousness of God to live righteously, humbly, gently to reflect.
The character of jesus’ kingdom to our nation and our world, because our joy is in him. He’s the river. He’s the one that we can lean into. So the Psalm has says to us this morning, this God is with us. Overcoming our fears. Think on that. God is with us. Bringing us joy. Think on that. God is with us controlling our world.
Think on that. Let’s pray,
Lord. We come to you God. Most high, the Lord of hosts. The one before whom we are called to be still
and be reminded that you’re God
Lord, thank you for joy. It is not dependent on circumstances because it’s found in you and as Trish reminds us in her post.
That there is a joy, there is a river that makes glad the people have got, and it’s you
that there is a God that we can be still and quiet and trusting before because you’re big and powerful. And Lord. This has been such a tumultuous time for our nation. We feel tensions on so many levels. Culturally Lord, as we began as a people to, to bottling, begin to regather, Lord willing if COVID allows it.
And if it doesn’t, we, we trust you with that. Lord help us to. Be United in this one, a reality. That is the people of God. We know you, we have life with you. You wanted us and made us yours. So Lord, may we rejoice in that? May we rest in that? Anger be put aside me fear, be put aside my worry. Be overcome.
Lord, help us to just let you be God in Jesus name. Amen.