Songs:
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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear.
The God of Jacob is our fortress… Psalm 46
Talking about managing fear …
Fear is common to all people
Courage is not the absence of fear but the overcoming of fear.
To overcome fear you must have a reason.
The breeding ground for fear is the unknown
True in modern day South Africa
Fear can be real or imaginary
Either way it impacts performance
Solution to fear is found in my relationship with God and Lord Jesus.
We used Psalm 46 to show why my relationship overcomes fear
And Phil 4 to show us how to overcome fear.
Today we want to unpack this a bit more.
We said last week that we need a reason to overcome fear and show courage …
The Psalmist here gives 5 reasons …
He states the first 4 and then follows it with …
Therefore we will not fear.
Given a really threatening situation I need two things to carry on courageously in the face of an impending calamity …
The appropriate person for assistance.
Who has the wherewithal to overcome the situation.
We are not sure but it would seem that this Psalm was written after Israel had overcome her enemies.
The authors write basing their thoughts on experience …
The starting point is choosing the correct person …
God …The Most High …vs 1.4.
The nations are in chaos, falling apart … vs 6
But when God speaks the earth melts such is his power … vs 6
This God can bring desolation … vs 8
He starts and stops wars … vs 9
But who is this God …
The God of Jacob, the Lord Almighty …
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus whom we serve.
Our Heavenly Father.
A term Paul writing to the church at Thessalonica uses 7 times…
So their faith is in this almighty all powerful one …
The Lord God of all creation…
Application … New Testament
All of this is fulfilled in and thru the Lord Jesus Christ …
Jesus said …
I am the way, the truth, the life NO ONE comes to the Father but by me … John 14;6
Paul writing to the church at Ephesus tells us …
Before the world was made God’s plan was to bless all nations with every spiritual blessing thru Jesus Christ. Eph 1;3
To the Colossian church he says …
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority … Col 3;9
Then they state all that He was to them in their life threatening situations …
Refuge …
Refuge is the state of being safe or sheltered from pursuit or danger …
One could seek refuge in a place or a person …
Cities of refuge …
Protected by law of God from the blood avengers.
Refuge in a person was best illustrated for me in church by one of the 3 year olds.
Chatting to her father as she came up to him I attempted to engage her in conversation …
She immediately wrapped both her arms around his one leg, and hide behind his leg …
As she did that he put his hand on her head reassuringly …
What of course she was saying is …
I am absolutely safe here because …
He loves me … and will protect me
He is the strongest dad in the whole world … there is nothing you can do to harm me.
You are now dealing with him not little me … You can’t separate me from him…
God is our refuge says the Psalmist …
Here we are safe …
Protected by His love and power.
Application …
When it comes to salvation Jesus is our refuge …
In our own strength w do not have a defense before a God of Righteousness.
So we flee to Christ and stand before God justified, without condemnation … Rom 5;1
Looking at the judge from behind the leg of our advocate?
Jesus invitation is to all …
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest… Math11;28
Be anxious for nothing … Phil 4
Strength …
Here is a situation that demands more strength than we possess …
But God …
Is our strength …
This Almighty, Most High God …
The one who is able to keep that which is committed to Him …
This is the one of whom fearful Moses said …
The Lord is my strength … Ex 15;2
To Joshua this same Almighty God says …
Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for I the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go … Josh 1;9
So Joshua ordered the officers… vs 10
You get it … God was the one who empowered them way beyond their own capabilities.
Application …
When we were still powerless Christ died for the ungodly … Rom 5;6
Powerless to stand before a Holy God
So Christ dies in our place
And we are made righteous …
Indwelt by the Spirit and power of Christ
In challenging Timothy of suffering to come Paul says …
God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and self-discipline … 2 Tim1;7
Power to overcome in every situation.
Jesus is our salvation and strength.
- Help …
We go to somebody when we are afraid that we can’t cope in a given situation …
Help assumes …
`Difficulty, direction required, protection, lack of confidence and many other things …
David returns home with his soldiers to Ziklag to find the place gutted by the Amalakites… 1 Sam 30 1-6
David’s men are angry with him and are talking about stoning him …
What does he do …
He found strength in the Lord …vs 6
Unlike his men who saw only the immediate situation …
He remembers the past victories God has given him …
He looks to the future and believes the promises God has made
And his distress changes to hope.
And he looks to the Lord for direction vs 8 …
We need to note again that help does not take us out of the situation but thru the situation…
David due to his many past difficulties understood that very well.
God was his helper.
Application …
Hebrews paints a picture of us in all our weakness before an omniscient God …
Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence … and find grace to help us in our time of need … Heb 4;16
Peter, as he walks in the water towards Jesus, loses his focus and starts to sink … cries out …
He went to the right person for help.
Lord save me … Math 14;29
- Let us approach the throne of grace in our time of need
Fortress …
In those days they build massive fortresses with high impenetrable walls to protect themselves.
In many cases the enemy would surround the cities and lockdown the inhabitants, sometimes for years.
This is how the Psalmist saw God …
He is the impenetrable wall that surrounds them
Within the walls of God’s love and power they were safe.
The Aramean king sends men to capture Elisha …
They surround the city and Elisha’s servant is petrified by what he sees … 2 Kings 6;15
What shall we do?
Elisha prays and asks the Lord to open his eyes and as he does he sees the protective armies of God fortifying Elisha
Go to 2 Samuel 22 and read David’s song of praise to the Lord …
It starts with the words …
The Lord is my rock and my fortress… in whom I take refuge …
David’s was a life that should have been filled with fear every day …
The Lord was to David …
A refuge, his strength, a help, a fortress
Application …
In Luke 22;31 we find Peter promising Jesus that he is going to follow him in all circumstances …
Jesus tells him that Satan wants to sift him as wheat …but I have prayed for you.
Peter is promising in his own power … which must fail …
But Jesus is fortifying him with prayer.
Paul in all his suffering says …
I know in whom I have believe.
Jude says … Jude 24
Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling.
A mighty fortress is our God in Christ Jesus
Ever-present …
Lastly and most importantly … Ever-present …
Any one of these things is of little use unless they are available 24/7
When the need arises they must be available
My testimony …
Was I fearless whilst lying in hospital?
Was there absolute confidence in His presence
Where doubts, frustration or anger …yes
Then how can you preach this message …
The point is …
Despite my shortcomings Jesus remains the ever-present and faithful one.
Many symptoms before Saturday …
But He remains faithful.
Application …
Listen to Jesus …
Go into all the world … I am with you always … Math 28;20
I will not leave you as orphans …John 14;15-21
I will send my Holy Spirit who will dwell in you…forever
I will come again to take you to be with me… forever
Let not your hearts be troubled … do not be afraid … John 14;27
All of what God was to the Psalmists is reaffirmed to us in Hebrews 13;5
I will never leave you, never forsake you …
The words of Psalm 118;6,7 are repeated as an assurance that all of what the Lord was in the Old Testament are true of us believers today…
The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
So we have right now, in the Lord Jesus …
A refuge … who protects us
Strength … that enables us
Help … that carries us thru
A fortress … that surrounds us
And His abiding presence … at all times
So what have we to fear …
One last word to those who do not believe in Jesus …
You do not have these promises and therefore your fear is justified …
You are on your own … without Jesus
Death is your enemy … victory over death is in Jesus
Accountability to God for your sins is yours.
