God, An Ever-Present Help
July 18, 2024

07-21-24
Brad Zook
Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:1-11

1. What this psalm teaches us about God

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. Psalm 46:4-6

7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:7

8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:8-10

11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:11

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:2-3

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. Psalm 46:4-6

7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:7

“Until recently no one imagined the possibility of the world itself being destroyed, but today our films are filled with ways it could happen. But if you have this God as your God, you can face even such cataclysms without any fear. It doesn’t say here that God will help you if you get into a strong refuge. It says he is that refuge. God is a stronghold or city that cannot be bombed or destroyed. Though earthquakes and tidal waves dissolve the solid world and civilizations melt, his rule is unshaken. If God is with you, even the worst thing that happens to you—death—only makes you infinitely happier and greater.” –Timothy Keller, from The Songs of Jesus

8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire. Psalm 46:8-9

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:11

2. Why we doubt what this psalm teaches us about God

22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
23 Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Psalm 44:22-23

15 Truly you are a God who has been hiding himself, the God and Savior of Israel. Isaiah 45:15

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear… Psalm 46:1-2a

3. What we should do

Seek the presence of God!

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6

What is my deepest trouble?

What is your present trouble?