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Sunday, July 6, 2008 pm

GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH

PSALM 46

Tonight we continue our study in the psalms. We have another psalm of the sons of Korah, but we don’t know exactly who the author is. It is also described as “A song for Alamoth.” This is a Hebrew musical term that we are not certain of its meaning, but it is found in 1 Chronicles 15:20 where David sets up worship to God as the ark is brought into the city.

This is a psalm that describes a world in turmoil, yet the believer finds his refuge in God. As such it is a psalm that deals with suffering and trust. It also describes the power and control of God.

I. I. God is our refuge and strength (1, 7, 11)

a. An often used description in the psalms. Psalm 9:9, He is a refuge for the oppressed, the poor (14:6), of His anointed (28:8), like a rock to David (31:2), etc. We will continue to see this analogy in the psalms (62:7-8, 71:3, 91:2-9, etc.)

b. To be our refuge means He is the source of our protection or a fortress. One to whom we can flee when we are faced with troubles. In fact, our psalm calls Him “a very present help in trouble”. That word “very” means greatly, abundantly mightily, exceedingly, etc. (WS Dict. Of the O.T.)

c. As Christians we are called upon to do just that. Let us continually remind ourselves that He IS our refuge – Hebrews 6:18 – we can flee to Him for refuge who is our hope.

II. II. No matter what happens (2-3)

a. The scene painted is one of the world falling apart. We are living in times that seem very similar to what is described here. There seems to be an unusually high amount of disasters, both physical (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, landslides, etc.) and manmade (wars, rebellions, oppressions, earth shaking greed, etc.), such as could easily be described in this verse.

b. How extreme the times are now we cannot tell, but regardless, is our faith such that we can say as the psalmist, “We will not fear”? Another way of saying this, “He is our refuge”.

c. We have a God who is in control and can deal with such things. Consider:

i. Matthew 8:24-27 where Jesus calmed the storm. God is THAT powerful!

ii. Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say, ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

III. III. The City of God (4-7)

a. There is a river –

i. The river the psalmist is referring to is not revealed. Some believe it was the river flowing through the city of Jerusalem that gave it its life. Spurgeon in his Treasury of David mentions the Kidron which flows by the city or the water of Shiloah, which branched through the city.
But we know the analogy goes much deeper.

ii. The Bible makes frequent analogy to rivers and waters. At times they are tempestuous and at other times they are calm. This river is a calm and constant river that waters the fields, gives life and sustains it.

1. Psalm 1:3 speaks of one being like a tree planted by rivers of water which bring forth life.

2. Jesus in John 7:37-38 says of anyone who believes in Ham, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Water that He made reference to in John 4 as He spoke to the Samaritan woman (4:13-14).

3. We also read about a river associated with the city of God in Revelation 22:1-3 (more in a moment).

b. There is a city

i. The idea of a city is a PLACE of refuge. Fortified and where those in trouble can flee and find protection.

ii. Its streams make glad the city of God. Physically this place would have been Jerusalem (2 Chorn. 6:6).

iii. But more frequently, the city of God is spiritual in nature. It is where God dwells. Consider the following passages:

1. Hebrews 12:22 speaks of Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

2. Hebrews 11:16, it is a City God had prepared for His own.

3. It is the dwelling place of God and our Lord – Hebrews 9:24, the place of the TRUE tabernacle.

iv. Revelation 21 & 22 speaks of the New Jerusalem coming out of heaven. While it is descriptive of the church (in its perfected state as John saw it in his vision) it gives us much insight into what heaven itself is like. 21:2-3 calls it the holy city and New Jerusalem. 21:10 speaks of the great city, the holy Jerusalem descending from heaven.
21:22-26 describes this city and notes that God is there. 22:1-3 describes the pure river of water that proceeds from the throne of God in the New Jerusalem.

c. What is the point of these verses? While there is turmoil in the world, there is a place where God can be found and there is a place that we can flee to.
TODAY, that place is His church. That means we need to be a part of His church. When we are in the church we are in the body of Christ (cf. Acts 2:47). God is in our midst. As we serve Him, He is glad.

d. AND it is also a place from which He can do His work. From there He is in control of the earth. He sees all things and controls all things. He is all powerful!
The world may continue to rage against us, but God IS more powerful and in control. (1 John 4:4)
THUS, He is our refuge and stronghold (7).
He will help, “at the break of dawn” (be patient!).

IV. IV. The Power of God (8-11)

a. Behold the works of the Lord – beyond comprehension. Man cannot match up with God in anything.

b. His power –
He can make the earth desolate (as in the droughts of the days of Elijah and considering what He did to the plains of Sodom and what He did to Egypt against a rebellious Pharaoh).
And make wars cease (As in the days of Hezekiah [which some believe to be the main thought of this chapter], & the book of Esther)
He breaks the bow, shatters the spear and breaks the chariot – such as the Egyptians and others. Consider also Isaiah 2:4 which spoke of the coming kingdom where men would beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Ezekiel 39:7-10 speaks of a time when Israel will burn their weapons for fuel.

c. Be still and KNOW that “I am God” – there is a need to acknowledge Him. (cf. Prov. 3:5-6). The idea of “be still” is a call for silence rather than challenging God. Have you ever known one who was angry with God because of some tragedy or just because things are not going as planned? We better be careful before we start challenging God!! Know that He always knows what is going on and He IS in control.

d. I WILL be exalted among the nations – man may try to stop Him, but He WILL be exalted. The question is WHEN? We can voluntarily bow now or be driven down before Him then! (Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10).

e. Because of His power, never forget: He is our refuge (11)

And thus we see another psalm. In this we see cause for hope and trust. Where is your hope? Where is your refuge?