God's Ever-Present Assurance: Trusting Through Trials

 

Summary

In this message, we are reminded of the profound truth that God is always with us, a comforting assurance as we reflect on the past year and look forward to the new one. Psalm 46 serves as the foundation, emphasizing God's presence, protection, and sovereignty. The scripture encourages us to "be still and know that I am God," highlighting the importance of trusting in God's control over our lives, even amidst chaos and uncertainty. This year, like a roller coaster, has brought both triumphs and trials, yet through it all, God has remained by our side, offering peace and security.

The message underscores the importance of gratitude, not just for material blessings, but for God's unwavering presence and protection. We are encouraged to praise God for His faithfulness, recognizing that His presence is our true source of security. The sermon also explores the attributes of God revealed in Psalm 46: His serenity, supremacy, and security. God's serenity offers us peace in the midst of life's storms, His supremacy assures us of His ultimate control and victory over any adversary, and His security guarantees His protection over us.

As we transition into 2025, we are called to trust in God's presence and rely on His strength, knowing that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The message concludes with a powerful reminder of God's ultimate act of love and redemption through Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to save us. This act of grace is the foundation of our faith and the reason for our praise. As we move forward, we are encouraged to hold onto the truth that God is with us, guiding and protecting us every step of the way.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Presence in Our Lives: We are reminded that God's presence is constant, providing us with peace and security even in the midst of life's uncertainties. This assurance allows us to face each day with confidence, knowing that we are never alone. [01:06:20]

2. The Serenity of God: The call to "be still" invites us to trust in God's ability to handle what we cannot. In moments of chaos, we are encouraged to relax and leave our troubles in God's hands, finding peace in His presence. [01:10:00]

3. The Supremacy of God: God's sovereignty is a source of comfort, reminding us that He reigns supreme over all circumstances. His authority ensures that no matter the trials we face, He is in control and will lead us to triumph. [01:14:00]

4. The Security of God: God's protection is a testament to His love and care for us. We are encouraged to reflect on moments when God has shielded us from harm, reinforcing our trust in His ability to safeguard us. [01:18:00]

5. The Assurance of Salvation: The message of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection is central to our faith. It is a reminder of God's ultimate act of love, offering us redemption and the promise of eternal life. This truth is the foundation of our hope and praise. [01:24:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:01:07] - Praise and Acknowledgments
- [01:02:43] - Gratitude and Family
- [01:04:35] - Introduction to Psalm 46
- [01:06:20] - The Lord is With Us
- [01:10:00] - Be Still and Know
- [01:14:00] - God's Supremacy
- [01:18:00] - God's Security
- [01:24:06] - Assurance of Salvation
- [01:28:58] - Closing Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 46:10-11

Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 46:10 instruct us to do, and what is the significance of this command? [01:04:35]
2. How does the sermon describe the year 2024, and what role does God's presence play in it? [01:06:20]
3. According to the sermon, what are the three attributes of God highlighted in Psalm 46? [01:06:20]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the call to "be still" in Psalm 46:10 relate to trusting God during chaotic times? [01:04:35]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's supremacy provides comfort during trials? [01:14:00]
3. How does the sermon connect the concept of God's security with His protection over us? [01:18:00]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time this past year when you felt God's presence during a challenging situation. How did it impact your response to the situation? [01:06:20]
2. The sermon encourages us to "be still" and trust God. What practical steps can you take to practice stillness and trust in your daily life? [01:10:00]
3. How can you remind yourself of God's supremacy when facing personal or global crises? What specific actions can you take to reinforce this belief? [01:14:00]
4. Think of a moment when you experienced God's protection. How can this memory strengthen your faith in His security for the future? [01:18:00]
5. The sermon emphasizes gratitude for God's presence. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude in your life, especially for non-material blessings? [01:06:20]
6. How does the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ influence your daily life and decisions? What changes might you make to align more closely with this truth? [01:24:06]
7. As you transition into 2025, what specific areas of your life do you need to surrender to God's control, and how will you do so? [01:28:58]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unwavering Presence

In the midst of life's uncertainties, the assurance of God's constant presence provides a profound sense of peace and security. This truth allows individuals to face each day with confidence, knowing they are never alone. The presence of God is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that offers comfort and strength. As we navigate the roller coaster of life, filled with both triumphs and trials, the knowledge that God is with us becomes a source of hope and resilience. This presence is a reminder that no matter the circumstances, we are held in the loving embrace of a God who cares deeply for us. [01:06:20]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt alone or overwhelmed. How can you invite the awareness of God's presence into that memory, and how might it change your perspective today?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Serenity

The call to "be still" is an invitation to trust in God's ability to handle what we cannot. In moments of chaos and uncertainty, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the challenges we face. However, the serenity of God offers a refuge, a place where we can lay down our burdens and find peace. This peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God amidst it. By trusting in God's serenity, we are encouraged to relax and leave our troubles in His hands, knowing that He is more than capable of carrying them. [01:10:00]

Psalm 62:5-6 (ESV): "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken."

Reflection: Identify a specific worry or burden you are carrying today. What would it look like to "be still" and trust God with this concern? How can you practice this trust in a tangible way?


Day 3: Embracing God's Supremacy

God's sovereignty is a source of comfort, reminding us that He reigns supreme over all circumstances. His authority ensures that no matter the trials we face, He is in control and will lead us to triumph. This supremacy is not about exerting power for its own sake but about guiding us with wisdom and love. By embracing God's supremacy, we are invited to surrender our need for control and trust in His perfect plan. This surrender is not passive but an active choice to align our lives with His will, knowing that He works all things for our good. [01:14:00]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle to relinquish control. How can you actively surrender this area to God's supreme authority today, trusting in His wisdom and love?


Day 4: Finding Security in God's Protection

God's protection is a testament to His love and care for us. We are encouraged to reflect on moments when God has shielded us from harm, reinforcing our trust in His ability to safeguard us. This protection is not always about preventing difficulties but about being with us through them, providing strength and courage. By finding security in God's protection, we are reminded that we are never abandoned or forgotten. His love surrounds us, offering a safe haven in the storms of life. [01:18:00]

Psalm 121:7-8 (ESV): "The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's protection in your life. How can this memory strengthen your trust in His care today, especially in areas where you feel vulnerable?


Day 5: Assurance of Salvation through Christ

The message of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection is central to our faith. It is a reminder of God's ultimate act of love, offering us redemption and the promise of eternal life. This assurance of salvation is the foundation of our hope and praise, a truth that transforms our lives. By embracing this assurance, we are invited to live in the light of God's grace, knowing that we are forgiven and free. This freedom is not a license to live as we please but a call to live in gratitude and obedience, reflecting the love of Christ to the world. [01:24:06]

Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

Reflection: How does the assurance of salvation through Christ impact your daily life? What is one way you can live out this truth in your actions and relationships today?

Quotes


And we know that all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord and to them that are the called according to his purpose. And we thank God for in him, there is no failure. He makes no mistakes. And in him, through him, by him, and with him, all things are possible. [01:01:12] (24 seconds)


This is what the song says. Be still. Yeah, be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth. This is the good part. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. [01:05:03] (22 seconds)


Family and friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, I want to begin this preaching presentation by just letting you know that you and I ought to be thankful every single day over the fact that God walks right by our side. We ought to be thankful every single day over the fact that he has never left our side, even in the midst of life's circumstances. [01:06:06] (25 seconds)


We see the security of God because here it is family one of the themes of this song is the theme of God's presence and with his presence comes his protection because he will not be with you and not protect you no no when he's with you he's there to see about you and he's there to protect you verse 11 says the Lord of hosts is with us we have a witness here this morning the Lord of hosts is with us. [01:20:23] (37 seconds)


We could not save or deliver ourselves. But God sent his son to die for us. That while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Y 'all know the song, don't you? Jesus went to Calvary to save a wretch. Like you and me. Y 'all know the song, don't you? They hung him high. They stretched him wide. He hung his head. And for me, he died. [01:25:40] (36 seconds)


Y 'all don't want to help me preach. If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side. I don't know where I would be. I would be lost like a ship without a sail. But thanks be unto God. That he stepped right in. And he showed me that he's able to keep me from falling. I got to get out of here now. But always remember that the Lord is with you. [01:26:39] (36 seconds)


Aren't you glad that God is with you? I said aren't you glad that God is with you? I said aren't you glad that the Lord is with you? Well, if you're glad about it, you ought to lift up your hands. And tell God thank you. You ought to find you a neighbor. And tell your neighbor. The reason why I praise him. Is because can't nobody do me like Jesus. [01:28:58] (31 seconds)


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Transcript
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