When Trouble Knocks on the Door
God is our refuge and strength, A very ready help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes And the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make the city of God happy, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth quaked. 7 The Lord of armies is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah – Psalm 46:1-7 (NASB)
The BIG Idea
Because we live in a fallen world, we are guaranteed that we will face trouble and challenges in this temporary earthly life. As followers of Jesus, how are we to respond when trouble knocks on the door of our lives? The Psalmist shares key insights for us to embrace when we face seasons of hardship. We must move from simply believing in God to trusting God!
Avoid faulty ways of dealing with the trouble and challenges of life.
Choose to face the trouble and the challenges of life with faith in God.
I will raise my eyes to the mountains; From where will my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2 (NASB)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28 (NASB)
No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. – I Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)
Develop a plan based on God’s Word to endure the troubling times.
If we want the blessings of God, we must live life in the Way Jesus offers.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:3 (NASB)
Follow the Light that Jesus Christ offers for the troubles of life.
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” – John 8:12 (NASB)
We must move from believing God to trusting God.
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
– James 2:19 (NASB)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)
Our faith and faith journey with Christ must be of such value that it directs our lives and motivates all our decisions.
8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. – Philippians 3:8-10 (NASB)
Choose to place Jesus first in all things.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.
– Matthew 6:33 (NASB)
Questions for Reflection
What is the difference between “believe” and “trust?”
Think back on an experience in your life in which you chose to trust God. What did God do?
How does the light of Christ offer us peace and relief from the troubles and challenges of this life?
What must we choose to do if we want the blessings of God in our lives?
Have you developed a plan based on God’s Word to endure the troubled times of life?
The BIG Idea
Because we live in a fallen world, we are guaranteed that we will face trouble and challenges in this temporary earthly life. As followers of Jesus, how are we to respond when trouble knocks on the door of our lives? The Psalmist shares key insights for us to embrace when we face seasons of hardship. We must move from simply believing in God to trusting God!
Avoid faulty ways of dealing with the trouble and challenges of life.
Choose to face the trouble and the challenges of life with faith in God.
I will raise my eyes to the mountains; From where will my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2 (NASB)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28 (NASB)
No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. – I Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)
Develop a plan based on God’s Word to endure the troubling times.
- Listen to God speak through God’s Word.
- Permit God to speak to you through sacred and modern worship music.
- Praise God and be thankful for God’s daily blessings that we often overlook.
- Recognize God’s provision that arrives in the form of friends and ministry leaders.
- Grow your faith daily by trusting God in the small, medium, and the large things.
- Permit other followers of Jesus to be in your friend circle.
If we want the blessings of God, we must live life in the Way Jesus offers.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:3 (NASB)
Follow the Light that Jesus Christ offers for the troubles of life.
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” – John 8:12 (NASB)
We must move from believing God to trusting God.
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
– James 2:19 (NASB)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)
Our faith and faith journey with Christ must be of such value that it directs our lives and motivates all our decisions.
8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. – Philippians 3:8-10 (NASB)
Choose to place Jesus first in all things.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.
– Matthew 6:33 (NASB)
Questions for Reflection
What is the difference between “believe” and “trust?”
Think back on an experience in your life in which you chose to trust God. What did God do?
How does the light of Christ offer us peace and relief from the troubles and challenges of this life?
What must we choose to do if we want the blessings of God in our lives?
Have you developed a plan based on God’s Word to endure the troubled times of life?