"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE"

Psalm 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 9:10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:

This Psalm is believed to be a Psalm expressing victory over the enemy. A Psalm of triumph. It's a Psalm that can encourage any believer to be courageous, and to look to God for help in trouble, and know that in Christ we are more than conquerors.

1. What God is for the person who is oppressed.
Psalm 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,

God's people often are oppressed. It's been that way, it is that way, and it will be that way until the Lord comes back.
But, that's not all God's people have. God's people have a refuge. It's God Himself. God is a shelter for those who are oppressed.

Oppressed means, crushed, or afflicted. So, if that is you today, please look to God your refuge, God your shelter.

2. Something else God is for the person in times of trouble.
Psalm 9:9 ...... A refuge in times of trouble.

God is indeed a refuge for those who are oppressed, and here we are told He is refuge for those who are in times of trouble.
Trouble means, distress, affliction, adversity, anguish, tribulation, and adversary. It speaks of those times of being in straits, when we are vexed, rivaled by the enemy.

God is a refuge, which means, defense, high tower, high fort. Secure, height, retreat, stronghold.
God is all of those things for the person who is in trouble.

3. What those do who know the name of the Lord.
Psalm 9:10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;

God is a refuge, but here we see what those who know Him will do. It's one thing for God to be something, it's quite another for what God is to become real and meaningful in our lives, and this occurs and takes place as a result of what is said in this verse.
"Those who know Your name will put their trust in You. Or believe You, take You at Your word, cry out to You, depend upon You, believe wholeheartedly in You, and experience Your great comfort.

4. Why those who know the name of the Lord trust Him.
Psalm 9:10 .....LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

This is so wonderfully comforting. That God has not forsaken the person who seeks Him. It may seem like He has. When the dark clouds of trouble hide His face. But, He is there, the clouds will come and go, but He will not. He will not forsake those who seek Him.

Isaiah 42:16 I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.

Questions:

1. Are you in a time of oppression, feeling crushed and perplexed?

2. Remember what God is, He is there for You.

3. Are you in a time of trouble and distress?

4. Remember, God is your refuge.

5. Do you know the Lord? Than you can put your trust in Him, because He has not forsaken you.

A prayer:

Father, a good day to You. We are today, one day closer then yesterday to seeing You face to face. And, for those today who may be going through a time of oppression, and a time of trouble, we pray for them, that they would find the truths of these verses hitting the target for their hearts and minds. Bless them with great sustaining peace and joy. We love You Lord, in Jesus name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.