Psalm 46: How to face Crisis

Psalm 46: How to face Crisis

On Sunday, 1^st June 2008, we were privileged at CDC to have our Pastor Terry Tan preach the message on “How to face Crisis” from Psalm 46.

Pastor Terry began by drawing our attention again to the recent natural disasters that came upon the people of Myanmar and China. He shared how he was particularly troubled by the image of a young Chinese boy who expressed hope that his parents could see him and find him because he was on TV. Sadly, the newscaster reported, his parents had died in the earthquake. Crisis comes when we least expect it, and when it happens, we look for security! But how can we be secure? The key is Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

The first point of the morning was this “Our security is in God, not in this world”. The motive of creation was very strongly described by the Psalmist here. Psalm 46:2-4 reads:- Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

We are to look to the Creator not creation. The Psalmist asks us to look to God as our refuge and our strength, our source of security. There was once a story of a couple who were very concerned about their own safety and traveled throughout the world to find the place least likely to be affected by war. They thought they found it in the Falkland Islands, and moved there with high hopes of a peaceful life. Ironically, the Falkland Islands became a war zone between Argentina and Britain. Nothing in this life is certain. There is no security unless we have placed ourselves in God’s hands.  Psalm 20:7 reads  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. God is waiting to hear us call to Him for help.

The truth is, problems and crisis are part of life. The Bible says that there will be trouble, but also promises that God will be there to help us through it. Some people lose all hope when trouble comes. Some choose to deny it and pretend it is not there. We are called to be realist and confront the crisis but with our hope and eyes set on our God, our Deliverer.

The second point of the day is that “Our security comes from our faith, not from our circumstances.” The Psalmist says in vs.7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. God does not want us to depend on things. In His lovely words to His disciples, Jesus said in Psalm 46:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Our peace is knowing that our future home is in heaven. Some are rich but constantly worried. Some are poor but happy and at peace. Security is not the absence of trouble but confidence and courage in the midst of trouble.

Finally, our final point was “Our security is in eternity, not the present”. As Christians, we have an eternal dimension. One day, God will destroy all evil and the world itself. The truth is, there are no guarantees in this world for any of us. We are not immune from the harms of the world. However, we can be best assured that no matter where our journey takes us, God goes with us and His words promises in Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

In closing, Pastor Terry drew our attention to the rock badger or conies, creatures of little power who made their homes in the crags, where it was safe. Away from the rocks, they were completely vulnerable to predators, but in the rocks, they were safe. In the same way, our security is in the Rock of Ages, our Lord Jesus Christ, and as long as we remain in him, we need not fear anything at all in all the world, even death. As Paul wrote most beautifully in the Spirit “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

May the Lord help us face all our crisis and troubles with confidence, knowing that we can overcome all things because He is with us.

God bless,

Jason