God’s cure for Stress
Psalm 46
Introduction:
Opening Ill.- A man went to his doctor complaining about severe headaches. He was told to stop smoking, which he did. The headaches persisted, he was told to stop using Alcohol. He did, but the headaches continued. The doctor told him to lose weight , he did. But nothing touched the headache. Then is was discovered that He wore a size 15 collar on a size 16 neck. That’s enough to give anyone a headache.
Many things will cause headaches, poor vision, smog, too little light, emotional upsets. Doctors tell us that the most common headache comes from the everyday pressures of life. Stress is a necessary but unpleasant part of life. Overwhelming situations can produce stress that is more than people can handle unless adequately equipped.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE STRESS?
Moses responded to the stress of Israel’s complaining by Hitting a rock in disobedience.
Joshua handled stress by seeking the Lord in Prayer.
Nehemiah handled stress by seeking the Lord in Prayer
Jonah handled stress by running the other way.
HOW DO YOU REACT TO OVERWHELMING STRESS IN YOUR LIFE?
The Psalmist has a cure for us:
BI- WHEN STRESS COMES, FIND REST IN GOD
In Psalm 46, We see Three Attributes (Qualities) of God, that provide comfort in times of Stress.
Quick outline: I.. The Sufficiency of God (v1-3)
II. The Security of God (v4-7)
III. The Supremacy of God (v8-11)
As we scan this Psalm, we see a five letter word- SELAH at the end of each section. This is a Heb. Word meaning “a Time of reflection”. They serve like a pause marking in a musical score.
For remember the psalms are a collection of hymns sung by the Jewish nation. They will assist us in understanding this Psalm. They are a built in hint to unlocking the truths found within this Psalm.
Let’s begin with Prayer
Psalm 46 Begins with the realization of
I. The Sufficiency of God (Read v1-3)
Many people, in times of difficulty, do not give God the opportunity to reveal himself to us.
It requires intimacy with God.
In V 1 the Psalmist reminds us
1. That He is Our REFUGE.
That is He is shelter from danger - Psalm 62:7-9
(62:8- reveals the intimacy - As a result, “we pour out our heart before him.)
He is also a shield to all who place their confidence in Him- II Samuel 22:31-33; Psalm 84:9
2. That He is our STRENGTH
In seeking God’s presence, Strength is found
“Seek the Lord and His Strength” - Psalm 105:4
Strength is an essential attribute of God - Psalm 63:2
“All power belongs to God” - Psalm 62:11
He Fights our battles - Ex 15:13
Many people do not give God the opportunity to show what He can do, when things get tough because they have a shallow view of who God is.
THUS, COUNT YOURSELF SAFE, AND BE STRENGTHEN BY RESTING IN THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD.
Relate your stress to Him and seek His protection....
For
3. He is a very powerful HELP IN TROUBLE . (in the midst of our difficulties.)
Hebrew- for word “trouble” means “ to be restricted, or cramped” it literally means to be “between a rock and a hard place”
GOD IS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE, INSTANTLY PRESENT IN ANY SITUATION.
HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL, THEREFORE WE CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE AND REST IN HIM.
AS a result of knowing who God is (V1), we don’t have to be afraid when natural disaster comes.
In other words, KNOWING GOD CAUSES FEAR TO BE AN IRRATIONAL RESPONSE.
(Read v2,3)
ILL- Charles Hadden Spurgeon- worry /fear
Charles Hadden Spurgeon, a great 19th century preacher, once said that he worried for weeks before a speaking engagement, even to the extent of hoping he would break a leg and miss the event . When he finally entered the pulpit to speak , he was exhausted.
Then Spurgeon faced up to his fear. He asked himself, what is the worse thing that could happen to me during my sermon? Whatever it was , he decided, the heavens would not collapse. He knew he magnified his fears. Once he faced his worries for what they were, he relaxed, simply because his mind was no longer divided.
Notice the description of the 4 traumatic situations each introduced with the word though
Though the earth be removed - 2b - Avolandes
Though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea- 2c- Volcanic Eruptions
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled-3a- Tidal Waves
Though the mountains shake with swelling thereof-3b- Earthquakes
The world around us may be caving in. When trouble comes, our natural reaction is to run.
BUT GOD TELLS US TO RELAX, AND LET HIM HAVE CONTROL (cf v10)
SELAH – Pause and take time to reflect on WHO GOD IS
Trans: God is our immediate HELPER , our immutable, ever present source of STRENGTH and we find REFUGE in him. As a result we are SECURE in Him.
II. The Security Of God (V4-7)
1. “There is a river” v4
History tells us that seizes could be withstood a lot better when a river flowed in a besieged city. An example can be found in the City of Babylon. (Dan 5) Babylon had a double wall built with the Ephrasas River flowing in the middle. Media-Persians conquered Babylon by daming the river and walking into city using the riverbed. (See Dan 5)
2. “The Lord is the River” v4
Flowing to the aid of people under pressure
Provides Life-giving water to those surrounded by testing and trauma
“The Lord be unto us a place of broad rivers & streams” Isaiah 33:21
3. “The Lord is in the midst of it” v5
He is our bridge over troubled waters.
He is our refuge - he is in the midst of every situation that is thrown our way.
Remember - Mark 4 (v 35-41) Storm at sea - Jesus asleep in boat , yet the Disciples feared for their lives.
4. Therefore, she can’t be moved v5
Heb. - move brings with it the idea shaken -
As a result of who God Is and His unchanging promises- OUR FAITH CAN NOT BE SHAKEN !!!
Col 3:4 -“ Christ in you, the Hope of Glory”
Because Christ in Us, There is no reason for Our Faith to get all shook up.
It is in times of difficulty, that we need this reminder.
God is our Refuge, God is our Strength and God is a Very Help in time of Trouble- THEREFORE WE CAN REST CONFIDENTLY IN HIM.
Ill - from a 1970’s Our Daily Bread
“The devastating storms of trial can leave our lives in shambles. Former securities vanish in a whirlwind of personal tragedy and loss. The death of a loved one, the trauma of divorce, the loss of position, the anguish of incurable disease, or even our own sins can tear us loose from all that once gave us purpose, meaning and Identity. The Hurricane force of any one of these tragedies can so overwhelm us that we wonder if we will ever recover. In every age, saints of God have weathered these tempest without becoming cynical or hardened. How did they do it? By refocusing their lives on the unchanging promises of God.”
SELAH- v7 Pause and take time to Reflect on HIS UNCHANGING PROMISES..
III. The Supremacy Of God (V8-11)
Here the Psalmist paints the picture of a battlefield in it’s aftermath.
1. Come and See the Power of God (neg) v8
The results of war
How God handles man through the ages?
2. God’s Power brings about unconditional Peace (post) v9
“Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, but We will remember the Lord Our God” Psalm 20:7
WHERE IS YOUR CONFIDENCE PLACED?
This is a wonderful reminder that God is in Control of all things.
WHEN TRIALS COME, WE NEED TO FIND REST IN HIM!!
The key to the whole Psalm is found in v 10 –
3. God Instructs us to
A. BE STILL - relax
Look to him (refer back to v1) in the midst of our stress.
Ill- A well trained soldier
A well trained soldier will “freeze” instantly if he hears a sound he is not expecting. It takes long hours of discipline training to enable him to freeze quick enough to save his life.
THAT’S HOW WE NEED TO BE , WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS TO BE STILL IN THE LORD.
B. KNOW THAT I AM GOD (V10b) - he is urging us to have an imitate and personal relationship with God.
“We are His people....” Psalm 100:3
DO YOU KNOW GOD TODAY? DO YOU KNOW HIM IN AN IMITATE WAY?
He wants to be first in your life, ARE YOU LETTING HIM BE LORD OF ALL?
4. We need to remember in the midst of Stress, GOD IS WITH US (v7,11)
IT is a TRUTH, that no believer wearies
IT is a FACT too often forgotten
IT is a PRECIOUS PRIVILEGE not too often considered
Ill- Charles Wesley, near His death - while in pain he attempted to speak with all of his might.
He shouted that which can be faintly heard, “The Best of All is, GOD IS WITH US.” Again, he said it as a radiant glow came from his face. He lifted his hand in the air in Victory - THE BEST OF ALL IS, GOD IS WITH US.
Conclusion: Yes, God is with us, even in the most difficult of circumstances. He is Our Refuge,
Strength and Help. He is in the midst of the water to cool down the fires around us. Thus,
in STRESSFUL TIMES, BE STILL- Turn the situation over to God and be at rest for He will carry you through. God’s Strength is sufficient thus we are secure in HIM.
