Sermon Study Guides

God is everywhere present. Because God is Spirit, He can be in all places at the same time. We cannot escape God’s presence. The psalmist wrote: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there” (Psalm 139:7-8).

God is a real person with whom we can have a personal relationship. God is always with us wherever we are, but He will be PRESENT with us only to the extent that we open our lives to Him. His presence in our lives is proportional to how much we focus on Him and invite Him to speak to us, change us and help us.

When King Jehoshaphat received word that a massive army was coming against him, he called out to God in prayer. God responded through the prophet saying, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). Then he said, “Tomorrow march down against them.” Whatever our circumstances, God still calls us to join Him and do our part. He will strengthen us, defend us and help us to do what we can’t do.

The psalmist in Psalm 46 knew what it meant to face hard times. He said, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Later the Most High said, “Be still and know that I am God.” When life feels totally chaotic and out of control, we need not fear because “the Lord Almighty is with us” (v.7). When trouble comes, we’re instructed to “be still”, quit striving. In other words, quit trying to solve the problem or fight the battle on your own. God says, “Relax, let go, and lean on me.”

There is something we can KNOW that will help us relax and find peace in the midst of uncertainty and hardship. It is God Himself saying this: Be still and KNOW that I am God. Peace comes to those who base their response on what they know, what they believe about God.

So what do we KNOW to be true about our God? “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” The Psalmist says, ‘Let me tell you about the kind of friend our Lord is. Let me tell you about our God who promises to be with us.’

When God says, “I will be with you,” He’s saying three things:

1. God is our shelter in times of storm. “God is our refuge” (v.1). A refuge is a place of shelter and rest, a place where we can relax, feel safe and find inner peace.

When you are weary, fatigued or overwhelmed, run first to the Lord! He is the safest and best place to be.

The Lord doesn’t promise if you put your trust in Him He will remove all adversity from your life. He promises to be with you and to provide what you need one day at a time.

2. God is our strength in times of weakness. Don’t focus on your INABILITY or on your feelings of INADEQUACY. God strengthens us to persevere and to be bold and courageous.

3. God is our ever-present help in times of trouble. He has been our protector in the past and He will continue to be our protector in the present. God will not allow Satan or anyone or ANYTHING else come into our life that is not for our ultimate good and His ultimate glory.

IN - PURSUE RELATIONSHIP

1. If you needed a refuge, where would you go or who would you go to?

2. Where is God? Have you always thought that way?

UP - PURSUE GOD

3. Read Psalm 46. Where in the Psalm do we see God as our refuge, strength, and ever-present help in time of trouble? How do Psalm 62:8 and Joshua 1:9 deepen this understanding? Which aspect stands out to you? Why?

4. Read Psalm 46:10 and 2 Chronicles 20:15-17. What do these verses reveal about God’s nature? What does His invitation to be still teach us? What does being still look like for you?

OUT - PURSUE MISSION

5. Reflect on Psalm 46:10 and 2 Chronicles 20:15-17. How can you lean into God as your shelter, strength, and help when struggles come?

6. Share personal examples to encourage others how God is present in times of storm, weakness, or trouble.

Personal Reflection

When you are afraid, anxious, weary, or heartbroken, determine to turn first to God. Consider memorizing Psalm 46:10-11 or posting it in a prominent place where you will see it when facing a crisis.

The Word (NIV)

Psalm 46

¹God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

⁴There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
⁶Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

2 Chronicles 20:15-17

¹⁵He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. ¹⁷You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

This Week's Writers: Elsa Henderson, Alfred Samson, Mark Eckstein, Gene Gibbs, Karen Gibbs, Jemimah Ong, Jorel Quemuel