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by Samuel E. Ward
September 8, 2013
View the PowerPoint Slide Presentation at http://www.slideshare.net/samward1/be-still-and-know-psalm-46
Introduction
How easy was it for you to learn to float on your back in a swimming pool? What helped you the most in finally being able to lie on your back without the fear that you would sink like a rock to the bottom. Did your instructor recite for you Archimedes Principle that an object will float if it is able to displace an amount of water equal to the weight of the object placed in the water? Did that make you ready to jump in and lie on your back.
How about letting you observe others already in the pool who were floating on their backs without any apparent effort? Were you any more likely to try it? What if you were simply thrown into the pool to see if you could discover it on your own?
But what if your instructor would put you into the shallow end of the pool, first. Then, while at your side, place their hands under your hips and neck, and gently encourage you to slowly relax. All the while, they are waiting to sense the moment when you were relaxed enough that it would be safe for them to let their arms drop from under you? And voile!
If you floated, for even a short time, you would be convinced that you could do it. With more practice you would be able to lie indefinitely on your back in the water and even find it relaxing. This is the purpose of Psalm 46—to teach us how to relax and "float" in the deep waters of life's troubles that could overwhelm us. But they won't overwhelm us if we learn how to relax in the midst of those trials confident in the fact God is with us to give help we need as when we need it. He is always close enough to raise us up if we begin to sink. This was a lesson Peter learned when by faith stepped out on to the sea of Galilee and walked upon it (until he forgot that it was only by that faith in that he was able to keep from sinking).
Psalm 46:1-11 (NIV2011) 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.
I. Who Is God? (Psa 46:1-3)
Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV2011) 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.
A. Refuge –He Is the Shelter from Trouble. (So, let us run to Him for shelter from troubles.)
B. Strength –He Is the Power Over Trouble (So, let us trust Him with our troubles.) He rules over trouble; troubles do not rule Him.)
C. Ever-present Help – He Is the Constant Caregiver. (So, sleep well, knowing He is watching over you.)
D. The God of Jacob – He Has a Proven History of Care and Deliverance. (So, remember that history of His faithfulness to those He calls His own.)
E. Fortress –He is Impervious to the Attacks of All Enemies. (So, rest in the fact that when we are in God's care, the Enemy cannot win the war.)
F. The LORD God Almighty – He Is the Absolute Ruler Over All and Sovereign in His Ways and Plans. (So, "If God be for us, who can be against us", Rom 8:31.)
The Believer's Response to Trouble: We will not fear—not even if the world is falling apart around us— literally, personally, politically.
1. Give God glory for His deliverance, Psa 40:1-3.
Psalm 40:1-3 (NIV2011) 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.
2. Serve God until we are delivered, 2 Cor 4:6-9, 13-14.
2 Corinthians 4:6-9, 13-14 (NIV2011) 2Co 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. . . 13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.
II. Where Is God? (Psa 46:4-5)
Psalm 46:4-5 (NIV2011) 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.
A. He Is in His Dwelling Place.
From the Temple in Jerusalem, God was . . .
1. Sustaining His people during the siege of trouble.
2. Protecting His people during the terror of trouble.
3. Waiting for the right time to take the offensive against trouble.
B. He Now Dwells Within Us.
1. Our responsibilities toward our temples, 2 Cor 3:16, 19.
2. God's promises to us, Rom 8:34-39; Heb 13:5-6.
As with His people in the Old Testament, He promises present-day believers the same and more.
III. What Does He Do? (Psa 46:6-9)
Psalm 46:6-9 (NIV2011) 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.
All troubles have an "expiration date."
A. Because all nations will one day turn to the LORD. See also Psa 86:8-10.
Psalm 22:27-31 (NIV2011) 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. 29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive. 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. 31 They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!
B. Because the plans of the nations are subject to God's plans.
Psalm 33:10-11 (NIV2011) Ps 10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
C. Because God has His eyes on the nations—they would be foolish to rebel against Him
Psalm 66:7 (NIV2011) He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations— let not the rebellious rise up against him.
D. Because God has a plan to end all troubles for all of His children,
Revelation 21:3-4 (NIV2011) 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 '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."
IV. What's Is Ultimate Goal? (Psa 46:10b)
Psalm 46:10b (NIV2011) "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
V. What Is the Reasonable Response to Troubles Big and Small? (Psa 46:10a)
Psalm 46:10a (NIV2011) He says, "Be still, and know that I am God."
This verse could just as well have been translated "Relax, and know (come to know by experience) that I am God." You'll never know the fullness of God's peace until seek it His way.
Another phrase come to mind, "Trust Me, I know what I'm doing."
Paul offers the same exhortation in more detail in adding the one thing we can do when life and circumstances "get out of our control." Let God have it!
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV2011) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
