Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional and our Summer Inspiration series. Today we reflect on how the fear caused by the troubles that assault us are driven out as we take refuge in God’s presence.
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‘God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah.’ (Psalm 46:1-3)
This Psalm compliments the events of Luke 8, as Jesus calmed the storm, that we looked at yesterday. Today, I want us to think a bit more about how we can weather the storms of life.
We are all assaulted with the fear of storms, and we are also, on occasion, actually engulfed in them. Therefore, it’s vital that we know how to handle ourselves so that we are not overwhelmed and give up. We can apply the following words to help us to weather the storms of life:
‘Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.’ (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
Remain humble
Firstly, we must avoid arrogance and that we can ‘stand’ the trials of life in our own strength. We are humbled by the words, ‘Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall’. There are many, seemingly strong Christians, who, when met with fiery trials, fall in various ways. So, as the Psalm encourages us, today, every day, make God your ‘refuge and strength’. Maintain a living and prayerful relationship with Him so that you have the roots that can withstand the storms.
We all face the same temptations
Secondly, we are told that ‘No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man’; We all face storms and of he same sort; it’s important to understand that the temptation to give up, despair, fear and forsake Jesus… are common to all - and particularly so in the trials of life.
Believe in the faithfulness of God toward you
Thirdly, we are encouraged to remember that, ‘God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.’ The fires may be hot, but you will not be burnt! The waters may be deep, but He will not allow you to drown! As the song says,
‘When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast. When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast. I could never keep my hold, Through life's fearful path. For my love is often cold, He must hold me fast. He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast. For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.’
Take the door of escape
Add to all this, we are encouraged to take wise action - the door of escape - that God gives to us. It’s no good our agreeing that we are weak, will face storms, and that God is faithful but them refuse to put on our life jacket! Many are not wise and put themselves in temptations way!
We are told, ‘but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.’ Linking this to our reading from Psalm 46, we are to take refuge, gain strength and seek help in our storms. Worship and prayer is a door of escape from being overwhelmed.
A particular application - ‘a door of escape’ and life Jacket - could be to ensure that you keep worshipping with your church when, for you, it feels like, ‘the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea… the waters roar and be troubled… the mountains shake with its swelling.’ Through the encouragement that fellowship brings you will be enabled to say, ‘God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.’
Community group notes and study
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Our message on Sunday, based upon Psalm 46, encouraged us to remember that ‘The Lord of Hosts’ - God Almighty - is with us. Even in the most trying storms of life we are encouraged to ‘Be still and know that I am God’. Like the disciples in the stormy sea with Jesus asleep in the boat, we are to know that He’s with us and has the authority to speak stillness over any storm.
Please read Psalm 46
Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?
What would you say are the main teaching points of this Psalm?
46:4 - What is the ‘river’ and how can we enter into the ‘gladness’ that’s mentioned here?
46: 7, 11 - What does it mean for God to be ‘The Lord of Hosts’ and how is this a help in our lives?
4:10 - What does this teach about the final success of the gospel?
SIV - What attitudes and beliefs does this Psalm teach that lead us into successful mission?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
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