“When Trouble Comes, God Is There”

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

When Trouble Comes, God Is There

Psalms 46 assures God is in charge. We might think we control the world, but we do not.  Yes, things seem to be spinning out of control at times. It is not just the world, but our world that seems to get out of control.  Psalms 46 tells us, “The Lord of hosts is with us… He is a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.”

One thing that is helpful in the present is to remember what God has done in the past.  God protected His people. He gave them great victories.  On one such occasion, Sennacherib and the Assyrians surrounded Jerusalem. Hezekiah prayed to God and God responded with an angel who slew 185,000 troops. God is in control. God is victorious. He protected His people.  As a result, His people would not live in fear. God who created the world is in control of His world.

There are three fundamental truths to encourage us.  One, “I will not fear” (vs. 1-3).  Whatever the trouble, God is with us. The word trouble means “tied up, cramped.” The word refuge means “a fortress for protection.”  When we are pressed down hard, God is our refuge. He takes care of us.  When Jerusalem was surrounded by 185,000 enemy troops, it seemed as though they were encompassed by the sea. Though the mountains shake, God remains in control.

Truth number two is “I will not be moved” (vs. 4-7). God delivered Jerusalem from the Assyrians. He was immovable against their mighty troops.  Hezekiah dug a tunnel under the city wall during the Assyrian assault in order to keep water flowing into Jerusalem (2 Kings 20:20).  Sennacherib could not understand why the attack was not working.  Jerusalem was saved. The God of Hezekiah is God. He was in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the city where God had recorded His name. It was the city where the people came each year to offer sacrifice. It was the location of the temple.  God would not allow her to be defeated and destroyed. 

Truth number three, “I will exalt God” (vs. 8-11).  “Come, behold the works of the Lord…”  There are 185,000 Assyrian troops that are defeated. What remained looked as if God had broken every bow and spear and burned every chariot. Therefore, “Be still and know I am God. I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earth” (vs. 10).  There is nothing God cannot handle. We must never doubt His power. Selah, pause and think about that!

Action items:

1. When fear overwhelms, remember God is in control.
2. Remember God has always protected His people. 
3. Look at what God has done in your life and see what He is doing today.

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