Where Do You Go When Trouble Comes

WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN TROUBLE COMES

Text: Psalm 91:1-16

Since September 11 our world has not been the same, yes there have been other events that have effected the world but non quite like September 11.

Most of us thought we were fairly safe just going about our daily life but I think the events of September 11 changed all that. Even when Elaine and I went to Sydney at the beginning of this year the effects were still quite obvious, extra security at the airports still cause long delays in boarding aircraft. I was reading in the paper on Friday that America’s second biggest airline United Airlines may have to go into liquidation because of lost business. The collapse of Ansett was probably in part due to September 11.

But I want to tell you that despite September 11 there is still hope.

God never promised us a life free of troubles here on earth.

John 16:33 "... In the world you will have tribulation; ...."

The word tribulation in the Greek means

Affliction, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

2 Tim. 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

SOUNDS DEPRESSING DOESN’T IT

BUT GOD DOES GIVE US THE WAY TO OVERCOME ANYTHING THAT COMES AGAINST US.

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace......"

".....but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

That brings me to our text for this morning

Psalm 91:1-16 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." [3] Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. [4] He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. [5] You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, [6] Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. [7] A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. [8] Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. [9] Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, [10] No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; [11] For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. [12] In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. [13] You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. [14] "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. [15] He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. [16] With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."

1 WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN AFFLICTION, ANGUISH, BURDENED, PERSECUTION, TRIBULATION OR TROUBLE COMES

Do you run to the secret place? To that place of refuge under the shadow of the Almighty

Or do you run from God and try to hide yourself away from God and His people.

You see we must make a choice and plan ahead so that we know in advance what we are going to do.

It’s not a matter of if troubles come! God has warned us in advance that affliction, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation and trouble will come.

We must draw up a battle plan so that we know in advance what we are going to do when they come.

Illustration

Anyone who works in a building or goes to school will know that every so often the emergency evacuation procedures are practised so that people know exactly what to do in an emergency. Companies elect fire wardens to take charge should the alarm be raised.

It is no good trying to work out what you are going to do during the emergency, people would just panic and lives would be lost.

I believe it is just as important if not more important, for us to have a plan of action for our spiritual lives.

If you are not used to running to God in the good times then in times of trouble you will probably do as Adam and Eve did and run from God.