God is our Refuge and Strength
Introduction
- A wonderful and famous Psalm
- We are seeking stability and happiness
- What are these things?
- The worlds ideas of these things is constantly shifting
- Nothing in the world will bring you long-term stability or happiness
- Example of Riches
- This is why this Psalm is so important
- The world is messed up
- Examples
God's Loving Embrace
- The earth is battered (v2-3)
- The Psalm starts not with this but our confidence in God
- This is our dramatic opening
- This is a bold opening statement
- This shows us that in God we can have stability and happiness
- Things that seem stable (e.g. Mountains) can be brought down
- Things closer to home too - examples
- Are we relying on these things to give us stability and happiness?
- Things of the world - will let us down
- There is a big hole in our lives where God should be
- We try and fill this with all sort of things
- However, the things of the world will not fill us
- The Bible takes us on the journey of the reality of life
- Only God will fit in the God-shaped hole inside of us
- He will never leave nor forsake us - He will keep His promises
- God is our refuge and strength
- Because of this truth we have nothing to fear
- A refuge - Example of Hurricane Katrina, air raid shelters and Cardiff Castle
- God is a protection and shield
- Earthly refuges are temporary - God's refuge is permanent
- God's protection is forever
- To access this refuge - we must come to God
- Explanation
- To access this protection - we must be in Christ
- It is for God's people
- However, we feel like we are our own gods
- Explanation
- Rom 6:3-5
- God is our strength
- Example of Chillean Miners - they felt God's presence
- When hard times hit - God is closer by
The Church of God will not fall
- We are part of the city of God - v4
- The city of God - the Church of God
- A river
- The streams bring gladness to the city
- Water is a lifeline to people and cities
- This water is the Holy Spirit
- God will not allow His city to be moved - though the reality is that we need to be in Christ
- We have the protection of God
- God has always protected His Church
- God will help
- God will be there when we need Him
- Without God there is darkness
- In God there is light - He is light
- God will bring light and hope
- The Church will be attacked ...
- ... but It won't fall
- Attacked physically and spiritually
- The Church of God will stand
- God is our fortress and refuge - v7
- No matter what is happening outside - nothing will break through
- God is for us
- God's Church will not fall
God is in Complete Control
- A change of emphasis
- v1-7 – addressed to believers
- v8-11 – for believers and unbelievers
- v9 - God is in complete control (a picture of victory)
- God is our refuge and strength
- God will make permanent
- Rev
- God has complete victory
- A startling command - be still and know He is God
- This should be our response
- We must understand what this means
- We live in a noisy world
- The things of the world are distracting
- We must be quiet and contemplate
- Not take ourselves out of the world
- We must stop being distracted by the world and come to God
- We must become blind to the world and are awareness to God will be enhanced
- Whatever our problems - we can have confidence in God
- Example
- If you are not saved
- You have surely seen the signs and wonders of God
- Acknowledge what God has done for you
- Rev 1:7
- Christ will come again
- If you are saved
- All that we have looked at - is for you
- Only God can provide stability - refuge and strength
Closing Remarks