E-Free Church - Gaylord Campus
What causes Fear in your life? Through this sermon series we will learn how to face our fears from a biblical point of view.
Psalms 46:1-11 NASB
The REALITY of Terror
UNCONTROLABLE Circumstances: UPHEAVAL in Nature(v1-3)
The SCENE: Devastation of nature spoken in terms of hyperbole
The SPECIFICS: Though the earth should change; Though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its water roar and foam; Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride
INSURMOUNTABLE Circumstances: UNRULINESS of Mankind(v4-7)
The SCENE: Jerusalem under attack
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God
“City of God” is a reference to Jerusalem
The SPECIFICS: The nations made an uproar; The kingdoms tottered
UNPREDICTABLE Circumstances: UNCERTAINTY in the Future(v8-11)
The SCENE: Battlefield after war (specifically after the final war when Jesus returns)
The SPECIFICS: The Lord has wrought desolations in the earth; He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow; He cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot with fire
Our RESPONSE to Terror
We will not fear(v2)
Because the PERSON of God is our REFUGE!
Three truths about God
He is our SHELTER
Refuge = the person to whom one flees to for safety
God spoken of as the refuge we flee to is repeated often in Psalms (18:2; 46:7; 62:7-8; 91:1-10; 142:5) and is the same terminology is used to describe God in the New Testament (Hebrews 6:17-18)
He is our STRENGTH (source of courage)
He is our STABILITY
“Trouble” = to be restricted, tied up, cramped; Modern day concept of “between a rock and a hard place”
Very present help (24/7 - Psalm 102:25-27)
We will not be moved (v5)
Because the PRESENCE of God is our RESOURCE!
A river that makes glad the city of God
Jerusalem was one of few ancient cities not built on a river; When Sennacherib attacked he thought for sure that Jerusalem would quickly surrender due to lack of water; He did not know that Hezekiah had built an underground tunnel that brought water over 1700 feet into the city
Like a river, God’s presence is all the resource we need (He is in the midst of her; He will help her when morning dawns; He raised His voice and the earth melted; The Lord of Hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold)
As a result, we will not be “moved” (to totter or shake -we will not get “all shook up”)
We will not strive (v10)
Because the POWER of God is our RULER!
He will be exalted among the nations/in the earth
The Lord of hosts is with us
The God of Jacob is our stronghold (Proverbs 21:31)
The result is that we will “cease striving” = relax, do nothing, be quiet; We will not “sweat it”
Proverbs 21:31 NASB
