Our Refuge
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Our Refuge
Psalms 46:1-3
Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567
“If, indeed the Lord be our refuge and strength, we are entitled to seek after a
spirit which shall bear us above the dreads of common men.”1
When the tides of tribulations come roaring into one’s life and “our men lose their hope
of a future and purpose, you’ll surely watch them die a slow death in front of you.”2 While
humanity has always been worried about the ways in which this world might end such as global
warming, asteroid hitting the earth, engineered diseases, nuclear war, overpopulation or robot
takeovers; nothing instills fear into the heart as quick as having to “live” with an inescapable
threat to one’s own personal livelihood, mind or body! When the “worldly” solutions of money,
fame, power and the creativity of one’s mind fail to provide the means of escape, where can one
go to find refuge for one’s soul? During the dark and dangerous periods of the Reformation
Martin Luther found in Psalms 46 the answer to this question … refuge is found in the Lord!3
“A sense of nearness and graciousness of God is the antidote to fear,” 4 for in His sovereignty He
promises to not only do good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28) but to grant them
strength, endurance and peace that surpasses all understanding! While non-believers might
not see the logic of having faith in One who cannot be seen, though saints might get perplexed
(2 Corinthians 4:8-12)5 they need not fear any peril because they can always run to their ever
present Father to find divine protection, strength and refuge!6 The following sermon is going to
focus first on the false refuge of the things of this world and finish with what refuge in God
looks like.
False Refuge in the Things of this World
For many people in this world security against the unknown comes from acquiring an
abundance of earthly stuff. To insure against tribulation many people acquire fat bank accounts,
lush stock portfolios and all sorts of other tangible assets. Others find security in obtaining
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 121.
2
Author is Nan Jones, taken from the book Poems about Life.
3
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
2005), 388.
4
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 126.
5
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 126.
6
Willem A. VanGemeren, “Psalms,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song
of Songs, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 5 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), 351.
1
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specialized skill sets or personal
talents that are in high demand7
and yet others find security in
family, friends or business
connections.8 And when in need
some will even find their security
in their ability to “break down,
divide, destroy, disintegrate” 9 or
steal the assets of others. The
Bible says that only a fool would
seek such earthly things as
security for an unknown future
because they are only temporary
and are unable to protect oneself
from the greatest tribulations of
life (Matthew 6:19-21). No
amount of money, specialized
training, or privileged
relationships can ensure one
10
against heartbreak, failure, sin, disease or worldly disasters such as the Coronus virus the world
is facing right now! In a parable of the rich fool Jesus stated that finding security in earthly
possessions is vanity because upon death no one takes their earthly riches with them nor do they
provide any help when facing God’s judgement (Luke 12:13-21)!
True Refuge is Found in God
We will never know what true strength and peace is until we believe in and trust that
our God oversees everything, and can do anything!11 Luther stated the reason he sang Psalms
46 when facing tribulations was “because God is with us and powerfully and miraculously
preserves and defends His church and His word against fanatical spirits, against the gates of
hell, against the implacable hatred of Satan, and against all assaults of the world, the flesh and
7
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
2005), 388.
8
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
2005), 388.
9
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 130.
10
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
2005), 388.
11
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 123.
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sin.” 12 True peace of mind does
not arise from one’s own
personal self-sufficiency,13 but is
freely granted to God’s children
when they draw nearer to His
presence (James 4:8).14 While it
is true that God is indivisible
present everywhere always
(Psalms 139), we as His children
are not always willing to listen,
see or obey Him. “God’s word
and ordinances are rivers and
streams with which God makes
His saints glad in dark cloudy
days” 15 and the gentle whisper
of His voice can calm the fiercest
storms of fear raging in one’s
heart! If only we would be still
(verse 10),16 pray, learn from and obey God we would no longer store treasures up on earth17
as insurance but instead rejoice for we would have faith beyond any doubt that our future is
known and secured by Christ Jesus our Lord!
True Refuge in God Eliminates Fear
It is one thing to confess or know that God is our refuge it is quite another “to bring our hearts to
feel that confessed security is monumental!”18 Fear is often the companion of uncertainty but even
more so when the magnitude of one’s calamities threatens one’s very own life. In today’s passage the
Psalmist states that “even if human existence would be threatened with dissolution”19 by the return of
12
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
2005), 388.
13
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 122–123.
14
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 128.
15
Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume
(Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 809.
16
John Piper, Sermons from John Piper (1990–1999) (Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God, 2007).
17
Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume
(Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 809.
18
Robert L. Jr. Hubbard and Robert K. Johnston, “Foreword,” in Psalms, ed. W. Ward Gasque, Robert L. Hubbard
Jr., and Robert K. Johnston, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012),
209.
19
Gerald H. Wilson, Psalms, vol. 1, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 716.
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precreation20 chaotic waters that
topple the mountains into the
heart of the sea,21 believers will
fear not because our God would
still be sovereign! When we allow
memories of past deliverances
and “immediate enjoyment of
divine help”22 to flood into our
souls, fear is swallowed up solely
by faith in our Creator.23 This kind
of unshakeable faith is attainable
for any believer who not only
remembers who God is, our
sovereign Creator, but who God is
to us, our refuge and strength.24
Praise be to God that no calamity
will separate us from the love of
God25 that says “I have always
known you (Psalms 139) and will never allow you to experience trials without My peace (Philippians
4:7). No matter what happens My children are joint heirs with Christ26 and will spend eternity with Me
in paradise (John 3:16).” Because God is present as the refuge of His people, it is unreasonable
for His children to fear anything!27
True Refuge in God Readies Oneself for Satan’s Attacks
“If you become fearless through the presence of God, that courage will be tried.”28
Masquerading as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) Satan is more than capable of promoting doubt
Robert G. Bratcher and William David Reyburn, A Translator’s Handbook on the Book of Psalms, UBS
Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1991), 431.
21
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
2005), 389.
22
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 126.
23
Robert L. Jr. Hubbard and Robert K. Johnston, “Foreword,” in Psalms, ed. W. Ward Gasque, Robert L. Hubbard
Jr., and Robert K. Johnston, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012),
209.
24
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 123.
25
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 127.
26
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 123.
27
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 127.
28
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 129.
20
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and fear into our hearts. To the
church of Ephesus Apostle Paul
wrote that what we as Christians
wrestle against the most is not
people trying to harm us but with
the spiritual forces of evil in this
dark world (6:12). Even though
the Devil has lost the battle for
our eternal destination (John
3:16) he is more than willing to
instill terror into the hearts of
those believers who are weak in
their faith.29 Though the Devil
prowls around like a lion looking
to devour us we are to fear no evil
for when we sit down in the
middle of the storm and are still30
in the presence of He who is
greater than the Devil and millions
31
of demons we can hear God’s powerful voice say “you are secure in the palm of My hand and beneath
My wings.” Despite Satan’s attacks of terror upon our minds we can continue to feel peace that
surpasses all understanding because our portion (Psalms 16:5) is God whose plans to do good for us
(Romans 8:28) is founded on the unmoveable Rock of our salvation. Ironically it is precisely in trails and
tribulations that “believers find new grace”32 and become even more certain of the truth that since God
is for them so who can be against them (Romans 8:31)? May during our storms we strap on the armour
of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) and cry out “the Lord liveth and blessed by my Rock (Psalms 18:46)! 33
A Great Harvest of Hurting Sheep
In 2 Kings 6:8-23 we are told a beautiful story about how Elisha shared his unwavering
faith in God with his servant. In this passage we are told that the king of Aram was trying to
war against Israel but each time he made a battle plan with his officers when it came time to
fight Israel had moved and successfully evaded his armies (8-10)! Furious with the situation the
king of Aram summoned his officers and demanded to know who was the traitor to which they
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 128.
30
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
2005), 389.
31
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
2005), 389.
32
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 129.
33
C. H. Spurgeon, “Earthquake, but Not Heartquake,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 33
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1887), 131.
29
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replied that somehow the
prophet Elisha knew every
word of the king’s plans
despite them being spoken in
the privacy of his bedroom (1112). Once the king found out
Elisha was in Dothan, he sent a
strong force of horses and
chariots and surrounded the
city (13-14). When Elisha’s
servant got up and looked out
his window terror filled his soul
and I can only imagine with
great quivering in his voice
asked Elisha what shall we do
(15)? Elisha prayed to God
that his servant’s eyes might
be open and once granted he was able to see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire of the
Lord’s army (16-17). That day the Lord blinded king Aram’s army and both Elisha and his
servant were delivered from any harm (18-23)!
I tell you this story to remind both you and me there exists a great harvest of hurting
sheep in this world! An estimated 2/3rd of the world are unsaved and about 1.6 billion people
have not heard about
Jesus.34 Despite this truth
only 1 % of Christian income
is spent reaching
unbelievers.35 Part of the
problem lies in that fact that
a staggering 51 % of
churchgoers don’t know the
Great Commission and 25 %
know it but not what it
means!36 When earthly
solutions of money, fame,
power and the creativity of
their minds fail to deliver
this world from tribulations
terror fills their souls! The
34
Taken from the following website: https://www1.cbn.com/ChurchWatch/archive/2008/09/10/23rds-of-theworlds-people-dont-know-jesus-praying-through
35
John Piper, Sermons from John Piper (1990–1999) (Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God, 2007).
36
Taken from the following website: https://www.barna.com/research/half-churchgoers-not-heard-greatcommission/
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more distraught the situation the more the world will look to the fearless of the Christians and
want to know to whom their peace is found! What an amazing time to be alive for during this
pandemic the whole world seeks to find security. In response to the crowds gathering to hear
or to receive His touch Jesus stated, “the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few”
(Matthew 9:36-37).37 No longer able to stand on earthly means of escape this world is
desperately looking for a Deliverer. In the comfort that you have received tell the whole world
the reason why you have hope … my Jesus who is my portion and the rock of my salvation,
wants you to enter into His divine fellowship of security and peace! Let’s obey the Great
Commission and go out into this world and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit and teach them all about Jesus! I want to leave you with this final quote from John
Piper:
“I want to live my life in this age of massive misery and lostness so that when
I die, I can look up from my bed, not with any pretense of perfection, not with
any illusions of my indispensability, but with faith and hope in Jesus my
Savior, and say, “I have glorified you, Father, on earth, having accomplished
the work you gave me to do.”38
37
38
John Piper, Sermons from John Piper (1990–1999) (Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God, 2007).
John Piper, Sermons from John Piper (1990–1999) (Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God, 2007).
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