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.

Psalm 119:14

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. (Psalms 119:14)

Three points:

1. Riches

Who wouldn't like a surprise when opening the mailbox: "I was praying and couldn't get you off my mind. I believe the Lord Jesus wants me to send you this $100,000." Would you be thankful and rejoicing? I'm sure you would.

2. Testimonies

The things God has told us in the Scriptures. These are things that He has seen and told us about. He has seen people sin; He has seen people do what is right. When He tells something, you know it is true. It is one of the words used to describe the Scriptures.

3. Rejoice

Do we rejoice in the Scriptures, what we read, what we study, what we meditate on? Certainly that is a question I need to ask myself.

John 6:27

Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." (John 6:27)

Three points:

1. Perish/endures

Obviously the food that perishes is what we eat bodily; the food that endures is the Word of God. But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man cannot live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " (Matthew 4:4) It is by reading the Bible, believing it, and LIVING it that gives us the nourishment we need. Even if we have the best of food, we will die, but the one who eats on spiritual food will die physically but be strong and healthy spiritually.

2. Son of Man gives

Son of Man is the Lord Jesus. He is the one who gives this life and growth. If there is no growth in the Christian's life, there will only be stagnation. Growth is greater experience, understanding, patience, and all the fruits of the Spirit.

3. Set His seal on Him

This is his mark of approval. and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17). He is telling us the truth. This mark of approval is seen by what Jesus taught, did, suffered, died, and resurrected.

John 17:11

Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. (John 17:11)

Three points:

1. Leaving and staying

The Lord Jesus is about to leave this world. His ministry of teaching the masses is over. Judas is out doing his evil deed--collecting money to betray the Lord Jesus. While his ministry on earth is about over, the disciples' ministry is continuing. His prayer is for them and us. We still have to face the opposition of the world. Jesus cares about us. Earlier he had said the he loves us with the same kind of love that the Father had for him.

2. I come to you

I am coming to you, Father. There he is preparing a place for us and interceding for us. He prays for us. If the Lord Jesus himself prays for us, can we not also pray for others? Surely we can take a little time out to pray for others. When God had gotten angry over the constant rebellion of Israel, he determined to punish them with death, but Moses interceded for them. If he had not, more would have died. If we don't pray for others, they may stumble in the faith.

3. Keep them

Keep has the idea of watching over them, keeping his eye on them. We can see the deep care the Lord Jesus has for those who believe him and trust him--his followers. Though the storms of life assail us, remember that God is stilling watching over us. Jesus suffered many things; it should not seem unusual if we suffer also.

John 12:37

Even though he had performed all these miracles in their presence, they did not believe in him, (John 12:37)

Three points:

1. He performed

He did these miracles. People laugh today and ridicule saying, "Where is the proof these things happened?" There where many witnesses present, the Gospels were written in the first century, and they could have been debunked quickly, if they were false.

2. Miracles do not make converts

I have heard a number of people say that miracles would make many converts. But miracles done by Jesus himself in their very presence did not make many converts. The people in the towns where Jesus had performed most of his miracles did not turn from their sins, so he reproached those towns. (Matthew 11:20) and But Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone were to rise from death.' " (Luke 16:31)

3. Believe in Him

It is by faith that we are forgiven. Even though these miracles were done in their presence, faith was needed. Even seeing is not believing, if they refuse to believe. We need to have faith. The facts are here, it is reasonable, we can believe. All the prophets spoke about him, saying that all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of his name." (Acts 10:43)