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.

Suffering in Love

The third theme of note found in Psalm 119 is suffering. This repentant and rule-loving psalmist also faces grief (v. 28), struggles with covetousness (v. 37), endures afflictions (vv. 50, 141, 143), mocking (v. 51), threats and danger (vv. 61, 85, 87, 95, 110), and slander (vv. 69, 78, 86). In fact, that’s the exact reason for his love poem. The psalmist fully and lovingly depends on God’s words, especially in repentance and hardship. “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life” (v. 50). The psalmist is deeply aware of God’s promises (vv. 38, 41, 50, 58, 76, 82, 116, 123, 133, 140, 148, 154). He knows God’s covenant love (vv. 64, 76, 88, 124, 149, 159).

Most importantly, the psalmist knows he needs life (vv. 37, 40, 50, 88, 93, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159), and that life only comes from God according to his Word. He writes, “Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to your rules” (v. 156), and “My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!” (v. 25).

The psalmist knows that God’s speech does not just condemn sinners. God also redeems them through speech. While the words of God—his rules and commandments and statues—tirelessly remind us of our sin, they also reveal God’s promise to fully redeem his people from sin.

That is why the psalmist can’t stop writing. He knows that by the same speech of God he is both condemned and redeemed. Affliction under the law and love for the law operate on the same principle: God’s faithfulness to his own Word. God is unshakably faithful to himself, and therefore unshakably faithful to his people.

Thank God that He is a consistent and merciful God.

Psalm 110

What comes to mind when you hear the name Jesus? What image comes to your mind? What do you see? Is it a man with a long beard, long hair, wearing a white tunic and a blue sash? Do you see Him in His power – walking on the sea, calming the storm, healing the sick, raising the dead? Do you see His gentle spirit? Do you see the touch of compassion, a warm smile on His face? 

Psalm 110 is a psalm that shows us Jesus. This OT passage is most frequently quoted in the NT. Jesus quotes it in Matthew 22:42 to show that the people’s misunderstanding about the Messiah, about Him. Though He was a descendant of David (and thus a man), they missed that the Messiah was not merely David’s son, but also David’s Lord – one with the Father from all eternity. 

Psalm 110 shows Jesus as King (v. 1-3). We often consider David as  greatest king in Israel. All positive kings after him are compared to him. He led with wisdom. He led with compassion. He led with a God-focused heart. And yet, as good of a king as David was, there was one coming after Him who was greater. 

Jesus is greater because He is God – “The Lord says to my Lord” (see Matt. 22:41-45). He is no mere man – flawed by sin, weak in mind, swayed by popular opinion. This King is God, perfect in justice, in wisdom, in power, in His rule. This psalm looks to the present time, when Jesus the Messiah is risen and ascended, Lord over all at the right hand of the Father. 

Psalm 110 shows Jesus as Priest (v. 4). The kingship shows Jesus’ power/authority, the priesthood shows His heart. In order to be our High Priest He had to be able to relate/sympathize with us (whom He represents) as well as God (whom He represents). This is the thought the Hebrew writer expresses in Hebrews 4:14-16. Jesus came and dwelt among us. For over 30 years He lived here – He succumbed to the sufferings and pains of this life for us. 

Psalm 110 shows Jesus as judge (v. 5-7). For most of David’s life he had no judge. No one would plead his case. No one who would enact judgment on those who mistreated him. But David knew God is THE judge and that He would judge the wicked in His time and in His ways – and that is the same for us today. Christ’s judgment will be complete (every knee will bow – Phil. 2:10), and it will be victorious – pictured by the one who drinks by the brook in v. 7 – the battle is won, thus rest and refreshment is His.  

What’s all this mean for us? 

• Jesus is King – Follow Him. “King of my life I crown Thee now” – the King of my habits, king of my relationships, king of my mind, my words, my plans, my dreams. 
• Jesus is Priest – trust in Him. In the times I feel alone, Jesus knows, Jesus understands. And Jesus continues to work on our behalf. Thanks to His work we have access to the Father’s presence (Heb. 4:15-16). Jesus is working on your behalf. Jesus prays for you. One author wrote: “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference. He is praying for me!”(Robert Murray McCheyne) 
• Jesus is Judge – Fear Him. One day the Lord will come in judgment (2 Cor. 5:10). This is a strong motivation to live holy lives. God will bring justice. God will answer, will rescue, will deliver one day. Live to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

Do you know my Jesus? 

Wonderful, merciful Savior – Prophet, Priest, and King. All glory belongs to You! You are the King of Kings – You reign on high. You have conquered the grave, death submits to Your voice. I submit my life to Your will. You are the great High Priest – merciful, compassionate. You fully understand my pain and my suffering. You hear the words I pray, and carry those words to the Father. Thank You for Your loving service. Thank You for understanding. I know I can always come to You. I know You understand. You are the Perfect Judge. You are just. You are fair. And One day I will stand before You face to face. I plead for Your mercy over sins I have committed. I ask for Your daily help to live a life that would be pleasing to You – that when You come, I may be found right in Your sight. Knowing You fills my heart with joy. Precious Jesus, let me ever come to know You more and more. 

The Challenge Of Despair

Psalms 42 and 43 deals with a common problem of many… depression. Three times the question is asked, “Why are you in despair, O my soul?” (42:5,11 and 43:5). This tells us even God’s people are not immune to despair. If those people who are great like David, Elijah and Jeremiah faced serious bouts of discouragement and depression, then who am I? David gives us three pieces of advice.

First, he says get your mind off yourself and get it on God (42: 1-4) Sounds simple enough, right? See his yearning for God: “As the deer pants for the water brook…My soul thirsts for God, of the living God. So, my soul pants for God. When, oh, when shall I appear before God? Where is God?”  His feelings have not been relieved (vs. 3). He is discouraged because his questions have not been answered (vs. 5,9). Where is God? Here he is drowning in sorrow and trouble (vs.7). His friends are quick to say, “Just trust in God.” But no one seems inclined to comfort and help. He reflects on how things were. How he used to be involved and how he once was used. He went to the house of God with a voice of joy and praise but now is left behind. When you get old and it seems all have left you behind, be encouraged by hope in God. He has not forgotten you. It is so easy to be discouraged by what once was and now is but hope in God does not fail. 

Second, David says stop looking at the past and look to the future. We are fascinated with the future and nostalgic about the past.  The past is never as good we remember it being and the future will not be as fulfilling as we imagine. It is okay to remember the past if we remember what God has done for us. Remember how He saw us through our difficulties and discouragements (vs. 6). In the future David knows God will give him victory (43: 1). He knows God will protect him (43:2). He knows God will direct his life (42:3) He knows God will bring him joy (42:4). 

Third, stop searching for reasons and start resting on the promises of God. In these two Psalms there are thirteen questions. We need to ask questions but do not ask about and question God’s love or His motive and judgment. Even if God had answered every single one, we still live on His promises, not His explanations. Explanations may satisfy curiosity but only promises give strength. There are five promises. God promises to care for us (42:1).  He promises to always be faithful (42:8).  He promises to forgive us (43:3).  He promises to be our strength and refuge (42:6). He promises to lead us (43:3). 

“Standing on the promises of Christ my King, through eternal ages let His praises ring; glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord, bound to Him eternally by loves strong cord, overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, standing on the promises of God” (R. Kelso Carter).

Action items:

1. What we think affects how we feel about ourselves. 
2. When we think about God, we find encouragement, not discouragement.
3. The past is never as great as we remember. The future is yet to be. 
4. God’s promises give us stability.

Psalm 133

Unity – it’s important to God, and it ought to be important to God’s people. Why is unity so important? 

It is a gift from God (v. 1-2) – the first picture describing the blessing of unity is the anointing of the Aaron the High Priest. The role of the High Priest, the selection of the High Priest, the anointing of the High Priest – was all done by God’s direction. Notice how the word “down” is used 3 times in a row. It’s not just describing the natural flow of the oil, but reminding us the directions blessings flow – from Heaven down to Earth – from God to man. Unity is one such blessing. 

Unity is for the small and the great. The second picture is of the dew of Mount Hermon falling on Mount Zion. Hermon was considered the highest mountain in Israel. The dew falls even upon it’s lofty heights, and also falls upon Zion, which is not very high. One mountain is higher than the other, and yet both receive the refreshing dew. The benefits of unity is that it results in great blessings, not just on those we might consider more important or more prominent, but even on the lesser, the younger, or the weaker. Just as disharmony harms all, the blessings of unity reaches all. 

The blessings of unity flows from one person to another. The anointing of Aaron was a blessing from God for him, but being the High Priest, Aaron’s role was one that blessed the nation. Those who live at peace with God, with others, and with themselves tend to be a blessing wherever they go. They know how to find common ground, how to dissolve conflict, and bring peace. 

Unity is a foretaste of Heaven. The final verse of the psalm speaks of “life forevermore.” Dwelling in unity – being of the same mind, the same heart, the same love towards one another, is but a taste of what is to come when we all gather before the throne of Heaven, united in our praise and glory to the King. 

So ask the question – am I contributing to unity or division? Do I stir up trouble? Do I spread rumors and gossip? Do I leave a trail of conflict wherever I go? Or am I known as a peacemaker? Do I strive to preserve peace with others? Do I work to find common ground? Rather than giving up, do I strive to find a solution? Am I quick to extend grace, hoping others will do the same? Make a commitment today – be one who works for unity.  

Wonderful Prince of Peace, the words You recorded in this psalm shine like a bright light in our dark and divided world. Let it be different with me. Help me be a peacemaker. Let my lips be full of your truth, spoken with love and kindness. Let me extend grace where I may be tempted to sulk in bitterness. It was our Lord’s prayer in John 17 that we all be one. Help me to take the first step in the relationships in my life to dwell in unity – united in You. What a beautiful foretaste of what is to come. Thank You for the promise of Heaven gracious Lord.