How many of you have ever been in a natural disaster? (Hurricane, tornado, earthquake)
We have all found ourselves in situations that we can’t control:
Natural disasters, sickness, pandemic, people moving away, hardships, challenges
Things that seem unmovable and inescapable
They make us question the world around us, who we are, and even who God is
Who is God in the midst of these seemingly inescapable circumstances? Turn to Psalm 46

Read Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength,
Our help in trouble
Our Refuge – A shelter from the storm
Our Strength – our source of strength and confidence
A Very present help – not far away, but near
Therefore, we should not fear even in the midst of terrifying moments
Water – imagery of chaos; earth gives way, mountains thrown into sea, waters roar, mountains tremble
What moments in your life have felt like chaos?
How did you respond?
We’ve all had moments of chaos in our lives, too many times we respond in fear, confusion, stress, and anxiety
Both in the big moments of our lives, and in in between
What does it look like to respond well, without fear, confusion, stress, and anxiety?

The Psalm is going to tell us the answer to that question before we’re done, but first we need to understand how God being our refuge and strength plays into this.
Read Psalm 46:4-7
God is our fortress
What is going on with this city and this happy river? It’s Jerusalem –God’s presence was there
There was no river in Jerusalem – left it vulnerable when sieged
Metaphor for God’s protection and sustenance
God was in the midst of the city of Jerusalem, a reminder of His protection and help
Even though the nations raged, all it takes is God to speak and everything to melt – nothing can stand against him
But what does that mean for us? We aren’t in Old Testament Jerusalem
God is in our midst
If you are saved, the Holy Spirit, God Himself lives inside you as a seal and reminder, as well as, a source of comfort and strength
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice we can come before God as His forgiven children
We can take comfort that we have the Almighty God on our side
The LORD of hosts is with us and the God of Jacob is our fortress
The LORD – THE name of God, I am, YHWH
Of hosts – probably referring to God as the commander of the heavenly armies
The God of Jacob – the unchanging, God of the promise. God is the same God now as He was then – He is still able to fight our battles and holds true to His promises
All we must do is turn and follow Him
So you might be thinking, ok that is awesome Stephen and really comforting, but what do I do with that. Well the Psalmist is about to answer that. What does it look like to respond well in these moments of fear and anxiety?
Read Psalm 46:8-9
Be still and know that God is God
Come and behold what God has done
How God has brought desolations and caused wars to cease – behold what God has done – remember
The same God who worked in the past is still working today
What He has done in the past and what He is currently doing
How has God protected you in the past? How has He worked in your past? Give personal examples, pause to let them think
How is God working in your life? Give personal examples, pause to let them think
Read Psalm 46:10
Be still (pause) and know that God is God
He WILL be exalted and glorified among all
He IS with us – Read verse 11
God is our refuge, strength, and help – protecting and sustaining us; therefore, we should not fear, but instead recognize who God is and that He is with us
o When we find ourselves in hard situations:
 Remember who God is and how He has worked in the past
 Praise Him for being who he is
 Pray for help

o Right now:
 Write out a “Psalm” about this
 At the end of the Psalm write who God is in the midst of trials

o Hang this somewhere you will see it:
 When you see it, take a moment to thank God for who He is
 Pray for courage and wisdom to face whatever we may face