Psalm 46 speaks of the “safe Place” that the psalmist has found. This place can withstand the earth giving way, the mountains falling into the sea. It is a place protected form the waters that roar and the mountains that quake. God, the psalmists lets us know, is our “safe place”. He is our refuge and strength and he is our ever present help. God is our refuge! The word the psalmist uses for refuge literally means a place of trust, a shelter from storm, danger, and even falsehood.
The psalmist encourages us that we will not fear when we are safe within our “safe place.”
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give away and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters
roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Be still, and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:1-3,10b
For many of us who have gone through traumatic events, we have almost conditioned ourselves to anticipate disaster and crisis. We feel in a panic when the storm comes and we feel in a panic when the weather report says there is a chance of a storm. This need for a safe place from the storm is essential for our daily lives, because we have the emotions of being in a storm when there is just a dark cloud in the sky. God is our safe place from both the real storms that we face and the projected storms that we imagine. “ He is our ever present help in time of need.”
For others, they have spent their lives running from the storm. It is easier to try and find somewhere to run that stimulates us so much that we don’t notice the mountains falling into the sea or hear the waters roar. That desire to escape the storms of our lives can attach us to powerful addictions. Our avoidance of the storms can really serve to give the storms more power over our lives. Scripture in Psalm 46 is not telling us to run away from the storm or to ignore the storm. Psalm 46: 1 is telling us to run to our “safe place”, our refuge, our shelter. Running makes sense when you are running to a place of a safety where we don’t have to fear even if the earth gives way.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
Meditate on the verses given you from Psalm 46 and Psalm 91. Let the images speak to your heart. God often uses word pictures to speak truth so that we can comprehend in a deeper way that truth. Now we are going to do an exercise where God will give you a picture of being with Him in the “safe place”. That picture should always be in keeping with the truth of scripture. You are allowing God to make the truth of scripture that He is your refuge to come alive through a picture that speaks personally to you.
Safe place exercise....
1. Sit quietly in a comfortable position.
2. Take several deep breaths, letting them out slowly.
3. Begin to whisper words of thanks and praise to the LORD.
4. After a few minutes ask the Holy Spirit to take over your imagination.
5. Ask the Spirit to create within your mind a safe place where you can meet the Lord. it may be an imaginary place or somewhere you have been before that is special, like a cabin, beach, or spot along a quiet stream.
6. Rest there for as long as you like, enjoying all the surroundings. If you experience some discomfort or distraction, ask the Holy Spirit to take it away in the name of Jesus
7. When ready, invite the Lord to join you in that place. If that frightens you, ask Him to come as the Lamb, or to simply allow you to feel His presence.
8. Once there, notice the warmth of His love. Let it soak into your being. If you are allowing Christ to be there, notice His posture, eyes, and extended arms. Draw close to Him if you desire.
9. When ready, tell Jesus how you feel about Him. Then ask how He feels about you. he may respond with words or maybe actions. Either way, experience His acceptance and delight
10. If you are ready to conclude the exercise, simply spend a few moments in thanks and praise.
11. Take a few deep breaths, letting them out slowly.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress my God, in whom I trust.'" Psalm 91:1-2
Discussion Questions for Growth Groups
1) Recall Pastor Mike's description of two extremes, two unhealthy reactions to the storms in your life. Which extreme best reflects your reaction to the storms in your life?
a) A person indifferent and numb to life's storms. One who is unable to feel and as a result, unable to experience life.
b) One who finds their identity in the storm and unable to see and experience anything other than the storms in their life.
2) Reflect on the phrase "What God promises while you are still on the shore and experiencing the light, is still true on the lake in the midst of the darkness and the storm."
What is one truth he has promised you on the shore?
Have you been able to cling to his promises in the midst of the storms?
3) Jesus rebuked the storm in Mark 4 as if the storm were a supernatural demonically prompted attack.
Are there aspects of your storm that are opportunities for attack from evil Spirits?
If so, what would you need to "rebuke"?
4) Consider the question uttered by the disciples "Lord, don't you care?"
Have you felt the Lord is far from your situation?
How have you dealt with questions like this when facing discouragement?
5) Read back through the story in Mark 4:35-41
What aspects of the story stand out as you contemplate the storms you are facing in your life?
