God is our Refuge

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear…

God is IN trouble. He is the shelter in your storm. Come under the shelter of God’s grace.

God is our stronghold. Our fortress. He is all-powerful. David cried: Psalm 18:2, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust...

God is ever ready to give the help we need. God is our VERY PRESENT HELP. At times we cry, like David, Psalm 12:1 Help, LORD…

Know that He is PRESENT with you. As He was present…
• With Daniel in the lion’s den - and he could fall asleep!
• With Joseph in the pit, the prison, and the palace
• With Jonah inside the fish
• Withe three men inside the burning fiery furnace
• With Job on the ash heap
• With David in the cave
• With John the Baptist in Herod’s prison

He is very present. We can shelter in the centre of God’s will. He’s the refuge for us to escape to, and the strength we need to help us manage and press on… Therefore we will not fear.

Psalms 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. He says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

Mark 4:37-39 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. Jesus is the one who put them in the boat. He’s the one that took them there…

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Jesus was with them. He would not allow them to perish. He stilled their storm and calmed their fears. He commanded the wind and waves to be still. And there was a great calm. How is our faith during our storms of life? He can say the word. He can still the storm we’re going through. He can deliver us by the power of his word.

It was a big storm. But an even bigger God. When the storms come. When life is not fair… There is a confidence you can have in God.

Jesus is with us. We will make it to the other side. He speaks Peace.

God called Job perfect and upright, the best of the best… God allowed boils to cover Job from head to toe, as he sat on an ash heap. Job was faithful… through the storm of life.

Truly our Lord cares - for troubled hearts and homes. He came on a mission to save the lost. He cares.

He's not far away. He is PRESENT. "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). What a comfort! His arms will carry us through. He will gather the lambs with His arm. --Isaiah 40:11.

Your heavenly Father constantly watches over you. In this world of sin and suffering, we know that our God does care.

So what are we to do with our troubles?
1. Talk with Him
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Give your situation over to God, in the day of trouble: Psalm 50:15 …call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
He is close by. Even in our darkest hours - in the time of crisis.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

2. Trust Him
God is big enough and strong enough - He has all the power it takes to look after you and your problems! Trust God - to take care of your problems. Leave them in His hands.
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

God is our refuge IN the storm – even the hardest times of affliction and spiritual attack. Trust Him - His comforting presence is our very present help in time of trouble.

3. Transfer it!
Transfer your troubles into His hands. 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

It says cast - how much - ALL your cares and worries on Him - Because HE CARES FOR YOU.

Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. He will sustain you. He will take care of you. You first have to cast your burden on Him.

We may not understand the hurts of life we sometimes face, yet we can learn to trust God in them.

2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Reach out to others with the caring love of Christ.