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As we consider our world today, we see and experience various
kinds of trouble. Jesus told his disciples, "In this world
you will have trouble" (John 16:33). Our troubles range from
the personal to the universal. Concerning the present age, Jesus
said, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places"
(Matthew 24:7). In such a world, we may get discouraged. But Psalm
46 says …
"God
is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1)
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These words apply to each person who has trusted in the Lord.
Read Psalm 46.
In
Natural Catastrophes
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Verses 2-3 speak of catastrophic natural conditions. These descriptions
(e.g., "the earth giving way" and "the mountains
falling into the sea") sound like the undoing of the creation
order.
1. Why are God's people able to say, "We will not fear"
even when the creation order is being destroyed?
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God "fashioned and made the earth,
he founded it" (Isaiah 45:18b).
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God "formed the mountains by [His]
power" (Psalm 65:6a).
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God says to his people, "I am with
you" (Isaiah 41:10a).
In
National (or International) Catastrophes
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Like the "waters roar and foam" (46:3a), "nations
are in uproar" (46:6a). Like the "mountains fall into…the
sea" (46:2b), "kingdoms fall" (46:6a).
2.
We live in an unstable world. There is much danger, conflict
and war. Various individuals, groups and nations are battling
for power and control. Do you think the human race will be able
to achieve peace and harmony in this world? Explain.
The
City of God
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In contrast to the roaring and foaming waters (46:3a) there is
a peaceful river in the "city of God" (46:4a). While
the "mountains fall into…the sea" (46:2b), the
"city of God…will not fall" (46:4-5a). The city
of God is secure because of God's mighty presence (Psalm 48:8).
"As
we have heard,
so have we seen
in the city of the LORD Almighty,
in the city of our God:
God makes her secure forever" (Psalm 48:8, NIV)
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Of course, the physical city of Jerusalem was eventually destroyed,
but it pointed to a "new Jerusalem" at the end of this
age.
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"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven
and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any
sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of
heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her
husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now
the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They
will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their
God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no
more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of
things has passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4, NIV)
Our
Fortress
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An earthly structure, location or position is not our fortress
(place of protection and security). "The LORD Almighty…is
our fortress" (46:7, 11). He is "our refuge and strength."
We enter the "fortress" through faith in Jesus Christ,
who died for our sins and was raised from the dead. We will have
trouble. "But take heart! [Jesus has] overcome the world"
(John 16:33).
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So the LORD says, "Be still, and know that I am God"
(46:10a). Cease your striving, realize who God is (as the all-powerful
sovereign Creator), stop worrying, and start trusting.
3. Psalm 46 promotes a radical trust in God even in the worst
of circumstances. How can we develop that type of trust? How
can we apply this psalm to our lives today?
Reflection/Application
†
We all live in a world of trouble. When the worst of troubles
hits you, how will you handle it? Where will you go for help?
What is your refuge and fortress? Do you have one? Only God can
provide the protection, security and help we really need. We receive
that protection, security and help by trusting in Jesus Christ.
Have you trusted in Him?
†
As a believer, how do you handle the troubles in your life? How
would you handle the worst of troubles? Does your faith need to
be strengthened? Seek to know God, and take steps of faith (so
you will see His faithfulness). Reflect on Matthew 6:25-34 and
Romans 8:18-39.
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