Tuesday, October 11, 2011

LORD, TEACH ME TO BE STILL
AND KNOW YOU

 We live in a world that is moving faster and faster.  It is a busy world, and many of us just don’t take the time to rest.  Our lives our full of stress, and we are so tired.  God is calling us to just slow down, to stop, to relax and to remember that He is God and He is in control of this world, and whatever happens, He is reminding us to stop from our busyness and to be still.

“Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10.

In the whole context of this chapter, the Psalmist reminds us that even though the mountains may crumble around us, the earth may shake or the waters roar, He is with us and He is our refuge (v. 7).  And we are reminded to not be fearful when these things come upon the earth.

We are called to just relax our hands and just be at peace.  And then in verse 10, He promises that He will be exalted among the nations and someday He will be exalted over the whole earth and we are all looking forward to that day when our Lord will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.  What a day that will be!

All through God’s Word we are reminded of this stillness and quietness.  Even our Lord withdrew from the multitudes to seek quietness with His Father.  In Luke 5:15-16 we see Him surrounded by crowds thronging around Him and He withdrew to spend time in prayer.  Sometimes He would get up before dawn or other times He would withdraw to the wilderness to have some solitude and quietness.

“The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.  My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” Isaiah 32:17-18.

Righteousness brings peace and quietness and confidence forever in our souls.  We can live in confidence and safety wherever we dwell, and we can be at rest with our Lord.  Now, isn’t that a wonderful promise?

“The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save.  He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” Zephaniah 3:17.

God is in the midst of His people with His wonderful presence, and here He is called the “Mighty One.”  He is our Savior and Redeemer.  And when we are stressed by the pressures of this life, the struggles we all go through, He is the one who will quiet us with His love.  And then, He actually rejoices over each of us with singing!  Praise the Lord!

In this stressful world that we all live in, He is calling us to come and rest and learn of Him.  There can be storms all around us and maybe you feel like your world is caving in upon you.  He wants each one of us to know Him and to find shelter under His wings while the earth quakes around us.

Take some times now to just sit and be still before the Lord.  Give to Him those things that are heavy on your heart today.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for you souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” Matthew 11:28-29.

A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox or oxen.  It is attached to a piece of equipment the oxen are to pull.  You may be carrying burdens of sin, grief, depression, fear and anger, and you may just be weary in body from all the stress of this life.  Our precious Jesus frees us from these burdens.  The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing, peace, quietness, and joy in this troubled world.

So rest today in His arms, learn to be still in those quiet times with Him.  Spend much time reading His Word and in prayer.  Make a special time every day just to be with Him and you will discover the peace and joy of everyday as you start your day with Him.  You will discover how different your day will be when you start it with Him, just a quiet time in the Word and in prayer.  You will be amazed at what your Lord will accomplish in your life.

Blessings to you,
Pastor Sharon






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