Dear Precious Friends,
On this amazing new day and this incredible gift from God I pray you are starting your day with the Lord. There is so many things being thrown at us right now that can cause us to feel fear and concern so I am reminding us today that no matter what we face our confidence is in the Lord who is our refuge even in the midst of total destruction. He is not a temporary retreat: he is our eternal refuge and can provide strength in any circumstance.
The victory has already been won!
One of my favorite scriptures is the 10th verse of Psalm 46. For those with a tendency for anxiety , this short command from Him is so very meaningful — “be still” and know (not just think) but know… that He is God…and that He is in control. We’ve all had times in our lives when we just need someone else to take charge and who better?! This is the one priority in life that makes everything else fall into place…making time to be present with Him.
In this fast-paced world in which we live, with all kinds of technology to enable us to do even more than before, our expectations are high. The late Christian author and teacher, Russell Kelfer, put it very succinctly…”we need to slow our lives down to a pace where we can clearly hear what God is trying to say to us without forcing Him to hit a moving target! Stand still and see what God will do next. He wants to fight for you, but you will miss the battle and certainly miss the victory, if you don’t deal with the frenzy of anxiety…and be still.”
There are two ways to be still. You can choose to be still, setting aside time and waiting on God…OR you can be stilled by the circumstances of life until you have no choice, such as the death of a child, divorce, loss of a job, etc.
Kelfer describes the 46th Psalm as the Christian’s stance in the midst of life. Verses 1-3 describe our circumstances – and you must admit, the author points out some pretty dire circumstances with no hope but God tells us we have refuge in the midst of these circumstances. Verses 4-9 state the challenge; and verses 10-11 give the command and the cure. I love verse 10 as interpreted in The Message – “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” Wow!
Something to ponder: Why are we in such a hurry to make decisions on our own and then maybe invite Him to follow us – instead of letting Him take the lead? Be still… KNOW!!! God reveals Himself to us every single day and just the breath we breath and our amazing bodies that work in such a detailed manner if one crystal is off in our ear we can have vertigo... Sometimes He uses these things to get our attention. Let's Ponder of Psalm 46 today and remember who God is and what He has done. He is our Refuge, our help, immovable, , our strength our everything. Psalm 46 is a great reminder of al tat God is and I want us to really read through this today so whatever we face, we remember who God is and how much bigger He is than any circumstance we face.
Take time to be still and fill your soul with truth... His word.
AMEN!
Psalm 46:
God the Refuge of His People.
1God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
Selah.
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Selah.
8Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10“Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Please share what speaks loudest to you today.
AMEN!
