Psalms 46:1

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song For Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. (Psalms 46:1)

Three points:

1. Times are difficult

...and getting more difficult. It seems as if God is letting people sin more. According to Romans 1 God does that. People will not repent, glorify God, or be thankful, so he punishes their sin but removing hindrances to sin. In 2 Timothy 3 there is the prophesy that perilous times are coming.

2. Refuge, strength, help

Refuge has the meaning of a place to run to when things become dangerous. Strength is the ability to do something; God can fight and win any battle. Help has the idea of assistance, aid. He is present here with His people. We may die, but our souls are safe.

3. God

We are not to look to government, politics, debate, money, etc for deliverance. It is found in only one--Yahweh himself.

2 Chronicles 12:14

And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD. (2 Chronicles 12:14)

Three points:

1. Evil

Evil is defined by the Lawgiver. We have the 10 Commandments. The law is written in our hearts. We know we are guilty. What to do about the guilt? Most seem to stuff it in the back of their minds and try to forget it. Some just sear their conscious by doing even more evil. Some repent.

2. Because

The Scripture gives us the reason for the king's evil. He had a choice to make, and he made it. He could have chosen to seek God--pray and do things in life God's way--or not to seek God. He chose to NOT seek God. What are we going to do? What will be our choice?

3. Prepare

The king could have continued the reform started earlier when he humbled himself before God at the appearance of the King of Egypt. God delivered him in that situation, but King Rehoboam did not continue in that, but chose not to seek God's help and wisdom. Do we pray to God for help, and after He helps us, we forget Him? God help us.

Psalm 94:17

Unless the LORD had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence. (Psalms 94:17)

Three points:

1. Lord had been my help

Not the government, not the church, not medicine, not science, not myself, but the Lord. God may use any or all of these things but those are the source itself. This is why we pray.

2. My soul

We may feel the hurts of others, but the hurt we feel ourselves is the worst. Christians are not immune to deep, difficult, heart wrenching troubles.

3. Settled in silence

One more thing would have happened, and I would have died. Haven't we felt that way before? Don't forget to pray. Let us pray for others.