Finding Refuge and Strength in God's Presence
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound truth that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. We began by acknowledging the holiness and perfection of God, recognizing the privilege we have to worship Him and call Him Father. This understanding sets the stage for addressing the fears and anxieties that many of us face. Whether it's fear of the unknown, anxiety about the future, or concern for loved ones, we are reminded that God invites us to bring these burdens to Him in worship.
I shared a personal story about receiving difficult news regarding my mother's health, which led me to Psalm 46. This psalm became a source of comfort and strength, reminding me that God is our refuge and strength, even when the world seems to be falling apart. We explored the imagery of nature's chaos in the psalm, contrasting it with the calmness found in God's presence. The psalmist teaches us to take refuge in God, trust in His presence, and turn our eyes to His power.
We delved into the concept of God as our refuge, emphasizing that He is not just a refuge but the only refuge for believers. We often seek refuge in weak places—jobs, money, control—but these are insufficient. God alone is our strong tower, impenetrable and steadfast. Recognizing our weakness is essential to experiencing God's strength, as Paul did when he embraced his own weaknesses to allow Christ's power to rest upon him.
Furthermore, we discussed the importance of trusting in God's presence. Even in the midst of chaos, God's presence brings peace and stability. The psalmist assures us that God is with us, and His presence is intensified during times of trouble. This truth is echoed in the story of Elisha, where God's invisible army surrounded him, providing protection and deliverance.
Finally, we turned our attention to the power of God. The psalmist invites us to behold the works of the Lord, reminding us of His ability to make wars cease and shatter the weapons of our enemies. We are called to be still and know that He is God, surrendering our battles to Him. This is both a warning and a comfort, urging us to stop fighting against God and to rest in His victory.
As we concluded, we were reminded that Jesus is the door to this refuge. Through His sacrifice, we have access to the Father and can find safety and strength in Him. We are encouraged to bring our fears and anxieties to God, trusting in His presence and power, and to continually proclaim His greatness.
Key Takeaways:
1. God as Our Refuge: In times of fear and anxiety, we often seek refuge in weak places like jobs, money, or control. However, God is our only true refuge, a strong tower that cannot be shaken. We must recognize our weakness to experience His strength. [34:39]
2. Trusting in God's Presence: God's presence is intensified during times of trouble. He is with us, providing peace and stability even when the world seems chaotic. Trusting in His presence allows us to move from chaos to calmness. [42:16]
3. Turning to God's Power: The psalmist invites us to behold the works of the Lord, reminding us of His power to make wars cease and shatter the weapons of our enemies. We are called to be still and know that He is God, surrendering our battles to Him. [54:21]
4. The Role of Weakness: Recognizing our weakness is essential to experiencing God's strength. Like Paul, we must embrace our weaknesses to allow Christ's power to rest upon us. This leads to a deeper reliance on God. [38:22]
5. Jesus as the Door to Refuge: Jesus is the way to the Father, providing access to the refuge and strength we need. Through His sacrifice, we can find safety and strength in God, bringing our fears and anxieties to Him. [01:05:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [24:57] - Introduction to Worship
- [25:40] - Addressing Fear and Anxiety
- [26:28] - Personal Story: Family Crisis
- [28:26] - Hospital Visit and Diagnosis
- [29:41] - Psalm 46: A Source of Comfort
- [32:54] - Taking Refuge in God
- [34:39] - Weak Refuges vs. God's Refuge
- [36:39] - God as Our Strength
- [38:22] - Embracing Weakness
- [41:25] - God's Presence in Trouble
- [42:16] - Trusting in God's Presence
- [45:07] - The Calm Amidst Chaos
- [48:24] - God's Deliverance in History
- [51:17] - Remembering God's Power
- [54:21] - Be Still and Know
- [56:53] - The Lord of Hosts is With Us
- [01:02:00] - A Mighty Fortress: Hymn Reflection
- [01:05:31] - Jesus: The Door to Refuge
- [01:07:20] - Invitation to the Lord's Supper
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 46
Observation Questions:
1. What imagery does the psalmist use in Psalm 46 to describe the chaos of the world? How does this contrast with the presence of God? [29:41]
2. According to the sermon, what are some examples of "weak refuges" that people often turn to in times of trouble? [34:39]
3. How does the psalmist describe God's power in Psalm 46, and what specific actions are attributed to God? [54:21]
4. What role does Jesus play in providing access to God as our refuge, according to the sermon? [01:05:31]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does recognizing our own weakness help us to experience God's strength, as discussed in the sermon? [38:22]
2. In what ways does the presence of God bring peace and stability during times of chaos, according to the sermon? [42:16]
3. How does the story of Elisha and the invisible army illustrate the concept of God's protection and presence? [56:53]
4. What does it mean to "be still and know that I am God," and how can this be both a warning and a comfort? [54:21]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you sought refuge in something other than God. What was the outcome, and how might you approach a similar situation differently now? [34:39]
2. Consider the areas of your life where you feel weak or inadequate. How can you invite God's strength into these areas this week? [38:22]
3. When faced with fear or anxiety, what practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's presence and power? [42:16]
4. How can you cultivate a habit of "being still" in your daily life to better recognize and trust in God's sovereignty? [54:21]
5. Identify a specific fear or anxiety you are currently facing. How can you bring this to God in worship and trust Him as your refuge? [29:41]
6. How does the understanding that Jesus is the door to our refuge influence your relationship with God and your approach to prayer? [01:05:31]
7. Think of someone in your life who might be struggling with fear or anxiety. How can you support them in finding refuge and strength in God? [41:25]
Devotional
Day 1: God as Our Unshakeable Refuge
In times of fear and anxiety, people often seek refuge in temporary and unreliable sources such as jobs, money, or control. However, these are weak refuges that cannot provide lasting peace or security. God is the only true refuge, a strong tower that cannot be shaken. Recognizing our own weakness is essential to experiencing His strength. When we acknowledge our limitations, we open ourselves to the power and protection that God offers. This understanding invites us to shift our reliance from worldly securities to the steadfastness of God, who is always present and unchanging. [34:39]
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10, ESV)
Reflection: What are the weak refuges you tend to rely on during times of stress? How can you begin to shift your trust to God as your unshakeable refuge today?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Ever-Present Help
God's presence is especially intensified during times of trouble, providing peace and stability even when the world seems chaotic. Trusting in His presence allows us to move from chaos to calmness. The psalmist assures us that God is with us, and His presence is a source of comfort and strength. This truth is exemplified in the story of Elisha, where God's invisible army surrounded him, offering protection and deliverance. By trusting in God's presence, we can find peace amidst life's storms, knowing that He is always near and ready to help. [42:16]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed by chaos? How can you intentionally invite God's presence into these areas to experience His peace and stability?
Day 3: Beholding God's Mighty Works
The psalmist invites us to behold the works of the Lord, reminding us of His power to make wars cease and shatter the weapons of our enemies. We are called to be still and know that He is God, surrendering our battles to Him. This is both a warning and a comfort, urging us to stop fighting against God and to rest in His victory. By turning our focus to God's power, we can find assurance in His ability to overcome any obstacle and bring about His purposes. This perspective encourages us to trust in His sovereignty and to find peace in His ultimate control. [54:21]
"Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire." (Psalm 46:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What battles are you currently fighting in your life? How can you practice being still and surrendering these battles to God, trusting in His power and victory?
Day 4: Embracing Weakness to Experience God's Strength
Recognizing our weakness is essential to experiencing God's strength. Like Paul, we must embrace our weaknesses to allow Christ's power to rest upon us. This leads to a deeper reliance on God and a greater experience of His strength in our lives. When we acknowledge our limitations, we create space for God's power to work through us, transforming our weaknesses into opportunities for His glory. This perspective encourages us to view our weaknesses not as hindrances but as avenues for God's strength to be made perfect. [38:22]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: What weaknesses do you struggle to accept in yourself? How can you begin to see these weaknesses as opportunities for God's strength to be displayed in your life?
Day 5: Jesus as the Door to Refuge and Strength
Jesus is the way to the Father, providing access to the refuge and strength we need. Through His sacrifice, we can find safety and strength in God, bringing our fears and anxieties to Him. Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens, promising rest and peace. By entering through the door that Jesus provides, we can experience the fullness of God's presence and power in our lives. This understanding encourages us to continually seek Jesus as our source of refuge and to trust in His ability to meet our every need. [01:05:31]
"So Jesus again said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.'" (John 10:7-9, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally seek Jesus as your refuge and strength today? What steps can you take to bring your fears and anxieties to Him, trusting in His promise of rest and peace?
Quotes
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear even though the earth gives way, the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea." [00:30:51] (18 seconds)
"Think about this. How much time is wasted in our lives when we are afraid, when we are anxious, seeking refuge in the wrong places?" [00:34:39] (10 seconds)
"God is our refuge. And the good news, too, is that... It's God. He's not a weak refuge. Proverbs say that the name of the Lord is a strong tower. Picture that. A strong tower which the righteous man runs into and we're safe." [00:36:57] (18 seconds)
"In order to realize that God is your strength, you first have to realize that you are weak. You're weak. You don't have the strength to overcome. You don't have the power in yourself to endure." [00:38:00] (13 seconds)
"God says, no, don't try to cover yourself up. Don't try to hide your fears and weaknesses from me so that you can go through so-called worship, come on a Sunday and act like everything is okay when it's not. No, what God wants you to do is actually bring it to him." [00:40:22] (15 seconds)
"Because he is our refuge. He is our strength. And I'm convinced the more that we realize how weak we are, the more we'll pray. Think about this. I mean, do you pray? That's a legitimate question. Do you, pray?" [00:40:51] (19 seconds)
"God is calling you today to be still, to surrender, to rest from fighting against the Lord because God, God, newsflash, he's already won. He's already won. On the cross, he has purchased the victory." [00:55:32] (16 seconds)
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