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“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:1-11 22nd November 2015 Historical Background on Psalm 46 cf 2Kings 18-17, 2Chron.32, Isaiah 36-37 The Time - when Jerusalem was surrounded by the army (180,000 soldiers) of Sennacherib, king of Assyria When king Hezekiah of Judah prayed, God answered him through the prophet Isaiah with these strong words for king Sennacherib in Isaiah 37:23, The Time - when Jerusalem was surrounded by the army (180,000 soldiers) of Sennacherib, king of Assyria “Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!” And in one night, the angel of the LORD defeated king Sennacherib by killing the 180,000 soldiers of his army Psalm 46 was written as a Psalm of trust and thanksgiving to God for His deliverance Psalm 46 was the favourite Psalm of Martin Luther and it inspired him to write this famous hymn, “The Mighty Fortress Is Our God” Psalm 46 relates to anyone who is facing trouble today or to anyone who may face trouble in the future Psalm 46 equips us on what to do when things don’t go well with us Yet, we have false teachers, claiming that it is God’s will for people to be in perfect health and be in prosperity. But God’s Word never teaches such thing Psalm 46 teaches that God is our help in trouble, and not that He will exempt us from trouble. The abundant life we possess is not a trouble-free life on earth In Psalm 46, 3 things are outlined for us when things don’t go well with us I. Be still, and know that I am the God of Refuge (Ps.46:1-3) Therefore, we shall not fear In the 1st scene, we have the assurance that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (v1), even though the whole earth is changed… Today, we are facing a global economic uncertainty, a rising concern over global security, a challenging environment 1. A global economic uncertainty S.T. Wed.26 August 2015 When China devalued its currency in Aug. 2015, “it wiped out more than US$5 trillion (S$7 trillion) from the stock market around the world.” “Richest Asian lost $5 billion in Black Monday’s share sell-off.” S.T. Sat.14 November 2015 “Uncertainty over United States interest rates sent major Asian markets tumbling yesterday.” 2. A rising concern over global security S. T. Sunday, November 15, 2015 Paris terror attacks - “The security nightmare that all cities face … Attacks in Paris a reminder of how difficult it is to protect any urban centre from acts of terror.” S. T. Wednesday 18, 2015 “South-east Asia is on high alert to prevent a repeat of last Friday’s deadly attacks, as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) threatens to launch more strikes.” 2. A rising concern over global security The S.T. October 26, 2015 “While conflict seems too frightening to contemplate, there is no question that Asia is heading towards a more dangerous place as the United States, Japan and India move to confront a more assertive China … Many Asean states could potentially be caught in the middle of this competition.” 3. A challenging environment The S.T. October 27, 2015 Special Report on the Rising perils of climate change - the “Impact will be felt by all as sea levels rise, people migrate and food sources dwindle.” “As extremes grow, everyone will be affected, from the poorest in Africa and India to those in well-off cities such as Singapore, New York and Hong Kong.” 3. A challenging environment The S.T. October 27, 2015 “Singapore is not immune and is vulnerable to rising sea levels, hotter temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns.” “Climate change can also affect investments Singaporean make in other countries.” I. Be still, and know that I am the God of Refuge (Ps.46:1-3) Therefore, we shall not fear 1. God, our divine Helper is continually available for us in time of trouble 2. God, our Helper is not only continually available, but He is thoroughly adequate 3. God, our Helper is readily accessible as well to His people, “a very present help” He is our omnipresent Helper I. Be still, and know that I am the God of Refuge (Ps.46:1-3) Therefore, we shall not fear If God is truly “our Refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble” Then fear is illogical and there is no logical ground for fear “Therefore we will not we fear…” (v2) When Things Don’t Go Well II. Be still, and know that I am the God of Security (Ps. 46:4-7) Therefore, we will not be moved The 2nd scene describes the city of God, Jerusalem under attack. Nations & kingdoms had risen against her … yet “she shall not be moved” cf vv 4-5 II. Be still, and know that I am the God of Security (Ps. 46:4-7) Therefore, we will not be moved In the O.T., ancient Jerusalem was a picture that the Most High God was Resident in the Tabernacle, dwelling among His people. The omnipotent presence of Jehovah is their safety and true security II. Be still, and know that I am the God of Security (Ps. 46:4-7) Therefore, we will not be moved In the N.T., we have a clear & vivid illustration of Ps. 46:5 in Matt. 8:23-27 when the disciples were facing a threatening windstorm in the Sea of Galilee & Jesus was sleeping in the ship Luke 8:23, “they were in jeopardy” Mark 4:38, “Master, carest thou not that we perish” II. Be still, and know that I am the God of Security (Ps. 46:4-7) Therefore, we will not be moved Before & after calming the windstorm & the sea, Jesus rebuked them, saying, In Matt. 8:26, “O ye of little faith?” Mark 4:40, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” In Luke 8:25, “Where is your faith?” In Mk.4:36, “there were also with him other little ships” II. Be still, and know that I am the God of Security (Ps. 46:4-7) Therefore, we will not be moved As long as God was in the boat, the disciples should not have been moved, for the Lord Jesus Himself was in the midst of them So, what should we do when things don’t go well with us ? II. Be still, and know that I am the God of Security (Ps. 46:4-7) Therefore, we will not be moved 1. Reckon that God is ever watching over us, guiding, leading, directing and supporting us with great care & compassion. He is always with us & will never forsake us II. Be still, and know that I am the God of Security (Ps. 46:4-7) Therefore, we will not be moved 2. Reckon that the most High God who is seated in the heavenly Throne is above all thrones as the One who is ordering the universe. He alone is our heavenly Security II. Be still, and know that I am the God of Security (Ps. 46:4-7) Therefore, we will not be moved 3. Reckon that “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob” The refrain in Ps.46:7,11 help us to know God in 2 aspects: i. Know Him as “The Lord of hosts” ii. Know Him as “the God of Jacob” II. Be still, and know that I am the God of Security (Ps. 46:4-7) Therefore, we will not be moved Why did God addresses Himself as “the God of Jacob” & not “the God of Israel?” Jacob = supplanter, cheater, deceiver, cunning schemer The point is, it speaks of God’s sovereign grace. God is not ashamed to associate with Jacob’s past . He chose & saved Jacob on the basic of His grace II. Be still, and know that I am the God of Security (Ps. 46:4-7) Therefore, we will not be moved Thus, His help in time of trouble is not conditioned on our performance, but on His great grace, mercy, love And the lovely things about the God of Jacob is that He is a God of unbelievable patience with all of us. We should always depend on the “Lord of hosts; the God of Jacob” as our Refuge & Security When Things Don’t Go Well III. Be still, and know that I am the God of Peace (Ps. 46:8-11) Therefore, we will not strive When we are in trouble, we need to view what God has done, “Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.” (v 8) The greatest desolation God had done is to look at the empty tomb. He had raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead III. Be still, and know that I am the God of Peace (Ps. 46:8-11) Therefore, we will not strive “Blessed be the God…which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.” 1Peter 1:3 & In Eph.1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” III. Be still, and know that I am the God of Peace (Ps. 46:8-11) Therefore, we will not strive “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God…” “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” (Eph.1:7, Rom.5:1, 2Thess.3:16) III. Be still, and know that I am the God of Peace (Ps. 46:8-11) Therefore, we will not strive Beloved, in the calming of the great windstorm, remember that when the blessed Lord Jesus “rebuked the wind,” He “said unto the sea, Peace! be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them…how is it that ye have no faith?” Mark 4:39-40 III. Be still, and know that I am the God of Peace (Ps. 46:8-11) Therefore, we will not strive 1. Remember what God has done (Rom.8:32) Let’s rejoice that God will be exalted among the nations in the earth 2. Remember this very remarkable command, “Be still, and know that I am God” III. Be still, and know that I am the God of Peace (Ps. 46:8-11) Therefore, we will not strive This command is given in the context of trouble. “Be still” literally mean to “relax,” “don’t panic” or “stop striving” with God The point is - God is in full control, so let Him handle our situation & trust Him to do what He intends to do III. Be still, and know that I am the God of Peace (Ps. 46:8-11) Therefore, we will not strive Remember what Moses commanded the children of Israel to do - “… stand still, and see the salvation of thre LORD.” Ex.14:13 But, in today world, with its rapid pace, the last thing anybody would want to do is - to “Be Still” III. Be still, and know that I am the God of Peace (Ps. 46:8-11) Therefore, we will not strive Beloved, when we obey God’s command, we will discover victory in our trouble as we commit the matter to Him But the message will be totally irrelevant to a person who wants a quick answer to his trouble and doesn’t want to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ in his life and submit to Him (1Cor.15:57) III. Be still, and know that I am the God of Peace (Ps. 46:8-11) Therefore, we will not strive 1Cor.15:57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Beloved, our God is greater than our greatest trouble!