God Our Refuge and Strength (Psalm 46)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
22 August 2021
God is the refuge and strength of his people. If you believe in him why should you fear? He is near, a very present help in trouble.
Jesus said the Psalms speak of him (Luke 24: 44). We therefore understand that Psalm 46 is about Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the refuge of his church. The disciples in danger found refuge; in weakness they found strength. Read the New Testament. Who can doubt that Jesus protected his people? He has not changed. Just as he was the refuge and strength of his people of old so he is for the church today. His church is indestructible.
He is the Lord of hosts, meaning all the heavenly angels are at his disposal. When nailed to a cross and dying Jesus said he could have called on the Father and more than twelve legions of angels would be provided for him (Matt.26:53). Jesus still has at his disposal angels who minister to his people.
He is the God of Jacob, meaning he has spoken historically to the patriarchs and he still speaks today. Jacob was a man who had many struggles in life. Yet he survived and became the father of Israel. Believers may have many struggles but Jesus is with them just as he was with Jacob.
Believers trust in God and will not fear even though the natural world is in chaos. Earthquakes, floods and tsunamis will not shake us. Do not fear. There is a refuge and shelter for you. It is Jesus.
In the midst of tumults there is a river the streams of which make glad the people of God. In the storm God sends a stream to calm the soul. Jesus calmed his disciples in a storm. He amazed them by his power to calm the raging of the waters.
God’s help comes at the right time. Sometimes it is at the break of dawn, at the eleventh hour, but it is always in time. In crisis be patient and prayerful. Jesus’s help is at hand.
The nations raged against Israel but the Lord assured his people that though they rage God will utter his voice and the earth will melt. The nations are as a drop in a bucket (Isaiah 40:15).
The Lord is at work in the earth. He brings wars to an end—either wars against his people, or wars among the nations. Nations use weapons to destroy one another but God will destroy their weapons. He will do astonishing things.
In the light of this let us be still and know that he is God. He, and not the nations, will be exalted. Those who threaten the church must take note. God is God. Let the nations be still. Let the church, amidst trial and tribulation, also be still and know that God is God. He is on the throne. He is in control. He rules.
In conclusion, be reminded that the Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. The Psalmist said this twice. We must pause and meditate. Do not rush around in panic. Be still and know that God is God. He is our refuge and strength.