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PSALM 46

"THE BELIEVER'S CONFIDENCE"

I. STATEMENT OF CONFIDENCE  -  1 - 3
        A. Three things declared of God.
                1. Refuge  - hiding place - harbor - shelter.
                        a. The conie is a feeble folk.
                2. Strength  - not "will give me strength."
                3. Help in trouble "a very present help."
                        a. "Help me Lord."
        B. Because God is Refuge - Strength - Help -we will not fear.
                1. Living in world fraught with fears.
                        a. Hydrophobia, claustrophobia - acriphobia -
                        b. "Men's hearts failing them for fear."
                2. Will not fear natural catechisms. vs. 2,3,
                        a. Especially significant today.

II. THE REASON FOR CONFIDENCE 4-7.
        A. The consciousness of the nearness of God. "God is in the midst of her."
                1. Though the earth be moved - God is not moved.
                2. Though the mountains be shaken - God is never shaken.
                3. Though all may fall - God stands.
        B. The consciousness of the power of God. vs. 6
                "He uttered His voice the earth melted."
                1. Nations are like the dust of the balances.
                2. Looks like nations getting out of hand.
                        "The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved."
        C. The consciousness of the Greatness of God "The Lord of hosts."
                1. Gen. 2 the host of heaven stars.
                2. Announcement to shepherds - "A heavenly host."
                3. To Peter in Garden - "Put away thy sword."
        D. The consciousness of the smallness of God.
                "The God of Jacob" not Israel.
                1. Mean, hard, convincing Jacob.
                2. Small thinking, dust on speck called earth.

Ill. THE VINDICATION OF CONFIDENCE 8-11.
        A. "The works of the Lord in the earth."
                1. This passage carries us out to the kingdom age.
                2. This shall be the time of final vindication.

Now -
                Evil, godless men seem to prosper.
                Evil seemingly is triumphant over good.
        B. The three stages of future vindication.
                1. Judgment - Great Tribulation "What desolations he hath made in
                   the earth."
                2. Establishing His Kingdom in peace. vs. 9
                3. His exhaltation throughout the earth. vs. 10
                        a. "Wherefore God hath also highly exhalted Him."
        C. Jehovah of Hosts who is bringing this to pass, who is moving all things toward
           this culmination is with us.
           "He dwells in the midst of His people..." "where two or three are gathered..."