Welcome to week 6!

This week we’re going to see that no matter what happens- even if it’s the end of the world- we can rest assured that God’s got us. He is always our help in times of trouble.

Troubles Will Come

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. ” (V. 1-3)

Right away the psalmist lets us know that troubles will come. It seems he’s thinking of the very worst that can happen! The earth giving way and the mountains falling (v.2) are devastating things that can happen. We’ve all heard the horrific stories of earthquakes that have rocked various countries throughout the world or mudslides that have destroyed homes. It’s not a pretty picture we’re painted here, but we are still assured that we don’t have to fear.

We know that we may not be protected from these troubles, but that God is our “refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (v.1). So it’s not a matter of if we’ll have times of trouble, but of how we will go through them.

God Will Get You Through

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.” (v.4-9)

The psalmist then goes on to show God’s supremacy, not only over nature but over the nations and people who would come against the world as well. In verse 4, he gives the metaphor of a stream running through the city just like God is the life-giving water within their nation. Without water, a city can not survive, let alone thrive. As believers, He gives us the Living Water to sustain us.

God not only sustains us but He can stop wars and enemies in an instant (v.9). Even when the nations war, terrorism is knocking on our door, or unrest happens in our own country, we can still rest in God. He will bring ultimate victory!

Your Response

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (v.10-11)

So, how do we lay hold of God’s power during terrible times? How does He become our refuge and ever-present help in times of trouble? There are so many things to be afraid of it seems. So many people struggle with anxiety and fear- and for good reason! The world does not seem like a safe place AT ALL. But the truth is, that we need to “be still and know that I am God” (v.10). We hear this verse a lot, and to be honest, it can seem like we need to just sit. But that isn’t the case.

This is God saying, “Don’t focus on all of that other stuff. Focus on me.” We don’t have to run every situation in our mind, overthinking and worrying. If you look at the CEV translation, this phrase says, “Calm down!” Our minds can become places of calm and peace where we meditate on God’s Word and accept His supremacy over all of this world. Isn’t that what we ultimately want to know? That God is in control and He is big enough and powerful enough to handle it all?

God is calling us to believe Him when times of trouble come. Our world, and our daily life, gets worrisome and crazy but He wants us to know He can be trusted. He is the safe place we can go to- even if our world is falling apart.

Reflection Question

Is there an area of trouble (or of worry/anxiety) that you need to trust God for?

Challenge

Find an opportunity to be still before the Lord. Even if it’s just a few minutes, practice being still. If a worry comes, remind yourself that God wants you to give them to Him. How does it feel to be still before the Lord?

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