A Refuge In Times Of Trouble

He who was made a little lower than the angels to rule overall has become our refuge and strength.

Today’s Reading: Psalm 8 & 9  

Psalm 8

(Verses 1-2) The Lord’s name is excellent in all the earth.

From nursing babes, God ordains strength that the enemy be silenced. 

(Verses 3-8) Here we see scriptures repeated in Hebrews 2:6-8. Jesus was made lower than the angels and God did not give Him anything outside of His control.

Verse 9 repeats how excellent is the Lord’s name in all the earth.

Attributes Of God: Ch. 8 

• His name is excellent. (v.1,9)
• His glory is above the heavens. (v.1)
• God ordained strength from nursing babes to silence enemies. (v.2) 
• Jesus is made lower than the angels but crowned with glory and honor.(v.5)
• Everything was put under the Savior’s feet. (v.6)

Psalm 9 

I grouped some verses together that tell a more cohesive message, so some are out of order. 

(Verses 1-2, 11, 14) Praise the Lord with a whole heart and tell of His marvelous works. Be glad and rejoice in God. Sing to His name, Most High. Tell of His deeds among the people. Rejoice in His salvation!

(Verses 15-17, 4-5) Enemies fall at the presence of God. They are caught in their own net. It is the Lord who maintains our right and cause. God sits on the throne judging in righteousness. He is known by the judgment He executes. God rebukes the nations and destroys the wicked. He blots out their name forever. Hell is formed of all wickedness and nations that forget God (v.17)

(Verses 9-12) God is a refuge for the oppressed. A refuge in times of trouble. Those who know God put their trust in Him. God does not forsake those who seek Him. He does not forget the cry of the humble. The needy will not always be forgotten. He remembers and avenges them.

(Verses 6-8) Destructions of the enemy are finished forever. God endures forever. His throne is prepared for judgment. He judges the world in righteousness. He administers the judgment for the people in uprightness.

(Verses 19-20) Do not let man prevail! Let the nations be judged in the sight of God and may they be put in fear that they may know themselves to be only men.

Attributes Of God: Ch. 9 

• His works are marvelous (v.1)
• His name is O Most High (v.2)
• Enemies fall at His presence (v.3)
• God sits on His throne (v.4)
• His throne is prepared for judgment (v.7)
• God judges righteously (v.4, 8)
• He is known by the judgment He gives (v.16)
• The Lord endures forever (v.7)
• He is a refuge for the oppressed (v.9)
• He is a refuge in times of trouble (v.9)
• God does not forsake those who seek Him (v.10)
• He avenges the blood of the humble (v.12)
• He hears the cry of the needy and the cry of the humble (v.12, 18)

What To Take Away: It is amazing how the Lord Jesus is constantly brought up in the Old Testament. Jesus is the Word. He was in the beginning. Yet, He took the position, lower than the angels, as a human, to become our sacrifice. What was already His, as God, He gave up as a human. Instead of serving Himself, He worshipped the Lord and showed us that in our state of weakness we, too, can worship the Lord. Everything was given back to Him as He accomplished what no other could do. He died for us so that we could live in Him, and die to the flesh. Jesus truly conquered all when He resurrected. Everything is under His feet!

Yet, despite this amazing truth, we may feel that the Lord doesn’t listen to us in our prayers, that He feels distant. However, Ch. 9 showed us, He hears the cry of the humble, He doesn’t forsake those who seek Him, and He avenges those who have died for His name.

This life is not about serving ourselves, but giving glory to God! To follow the footsteps of Jesus. It may end in our own life being taken from us because we refuse to bow to the world and sin. But do not fear the one who can kill the flesh, but fear the one who destroys the soul!

(NIV) Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Worship Song: Refuge by Finding Favour 

Sermon: Four Pillars Of Walking With God by Paul Washer

Monthly Scripture- (NIV) Psalm 85:01, “You, LORD, showed favor to Your land; You restored the fortunes of Jacob.”

Community Prayer Requests | January ’20– Join us in requesting prayer, praying for each other and lifting each other up. 

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