"Be still, and know that I am God
.." (Psalm 46:10a).
"still" is the opposite of "agitated". When outside forces threaten us and make everything uncertain we tend to get agitated. We lose our cool, and this causes us to focus on the threat or problem and begin to think loosely. Because we are agitated we don't follow thoughts through as we know we should, neither do we anchor our thought processes on those foundations which are core to who we are, each one, to our own unique worldview. (A worldview is a personal view of the whole world - specifically, a philosophical view of all of reality; it is something individual to each person - everybody has a worldview, even if they do not know it!)
"This Present Darkness"
These days many people are saying that, because of "this present darkness", (Ephesians 6:12), they feel more centred on Jesus. They say that He is more in the centre of their consciousness because He needs to be; they need Jesus more: His strength, love, faith, peace, understanding, and even His compassion towards everyone, (including those misguided and lost souls who are turning our societies and our cultures upside down, and increasing their persecution of Christians).
The idea that we would "be still" may seem frivolous .. "really, shouldn't I be doing something?"
We already have done something! We gave our body, indeed our whole self, to Jesus as "a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). We became a "temple" of God’s "Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). We are renewing our mind (Romans 12:2), and are on the way to having "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).
"still" is the opposite of "agitated". When outside forces threaten us and make everything uncertain we tend to get agitated. We lose our cool, and this causes us to focus on the threat or problem and begin to think loosely. Because we are agitated we don't follow thoughts through as we know we should, neither do we anchor our thought processes on those foundations which are core to who we are, each one, to our own unique worldview. (A worldview is a personal view of the whole world - specifically, a philosophical view of all of reality; it is something individual to each person - everybody has a worldview, even if they do not know it!)
These days many people are saying that, because of "this present darkness", (Ephesians 6:12), they feel more centred on Jesus. They say that He is more in the centre of their consciousness because He needs to be; they need Jesus more: His strength, love, faith, peace, understanding, and even His compassion towards everyone, (including those misguided and lost souls who are turning our societies and our cultures upside down, and increasing their persecution of Christians).
The idea that we would "be still" may seem frivolous .. "really, shouldn't I be doing something?"
We already have done something! We gave our body, indeed our whole self, to Jesus as "a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). We became a "temple" of God’s "Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). We are renewing our mind (Romans 12:2), and are on the way to having "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Jesus taught His disciples to go to "a quiet place to pray" (Matthew 6:6).
Remember, Jesus is in the boat with us, always. He was with the disciples when the storm came, they became terrified. "Peace, be still" Jesus said. He spoke to the wind and the waves, He also spoke to calm His friends and to all of us, all these centuries later (Psalm 107:23-31; Mark 4:35-41).
When our children were young Trish and I had a hobby farm in our Southwest. When things got very difficult I would go up the hill to be alone. I would shout out to God who I saw was making everything so hard for me. Then I could be quiet, I could become still .. Jesus would always bring assurance; not of anything in particular, just the certainty that He is there, and He always cares for me and for all those for whom I am responsible.
I recently met Alex, he is a mature age trainee nurse who does caring, caretaking and cleaning to support his family while he studies. This is a big load that will last for years. He says that it is being still with God that gets him through. Cleaning up after other people is hard, but in his still moments with Jesus Alex gains the strength and peace he needs to press on (Philippians 3:14).
Towards Jesus?
In tough times it is good to pause and take stock; we tend to look ahead; towards what we are doing and where we are going. Where are we going? What is our direction? Towards Jesus? Or, towards the world?
"For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken'" (Acts 2:25).
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
Remember all those heroes of Hebrews chapter 11; they all had clear direction: "looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Hebrews 11:10).
".. people look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
Somehow, when I take the time, (I have to purposefully give Jesus my attention); when I am quiet and still with Jesus, it is as though He puts a barrier between me and trouble. This is spiritual. Jesus truly becomes "my shield" (Psalm 18:2).
The trouble is still there, Jesus has not changed my circumstances, but truth is manifest, Jesus, the Spirit of truth, has come (John 14:17) and put everything into its true perspective. "In this world we will have trouble" (John 16:33a); I am assured again that Jesus has "overcome the world" (John 16:33b).
Just as we learn to curb our anger when someone cuts us off in their car or uses foul language in public, so we can teach our self to be still, just for a moment. It takes just seconds; we can consciously share this moment with Jesus. Without fail He is calm, there is a warmth, (I often find that, right then, I need that warmth), and it's as though He whispers "my peace I bring" (John 14:27).
Jesus and Holy Spirit pray all the time for all us saints (Romans 8:27; 8:34), there is tangible benefit in this. When we "be still" we can "know that He is God", effectively we cast our cares and worries onto Him (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus' "exalted" place "above the nations" takes its right place in our perspective (Psalm 46:10).
The Great Exchange
Christians have been talking about The Great Exchange for centuries: God gave everything, He gave Jesus in exchange for us, each one:
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Christianity is uniquely different from all the other faiths and religions. The God of all Creation reconciled sinful man to Himself by making His sinless Son the sin bearer. Jesus died in our place (John 3:16). We receive it all "by faith" (Acts 26:18) and "by grace" (Ephesians 2:8).
(It is so rewarding to do a New Testament search for "by faith" and "by grace"!)
What does Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (Romans 4:3).
David says: "Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them" (Romans 4:6-8). We too can believe God, be set free and brought into His family, now and for eternity.
Our "Salvation" Moment
Do you remember when you were saved? You know, that moment when, beyond any doubt, Jesus welcomed you into His Kingdom, and at last you were free from the burden of your sin, guilt and shame? So many Christians do remember that time, it is still vivid in their mind. This is not surprising really when we consider all that happens in that moment.
My memory is that, even with everything that was going on in the meeting, I knew a stillness and knew that God was God; the God of Creation, and that Jesus had come to me. God was welcoming me into His family. "I was in a cloud of love". I am still learning about God’s many and infinite attributes.
He is:
• faithful,
• glorious (infinitely beautiful and great),
• good,
• gracious (kind, thoughtful, generous),
• holy (unchangingly perfect),
• immutable (He never changes),
• infinite (self-existing, without origin),
• just,
• loving,
• merciful,
• omnipotent (all powerful),
• omnipresent (always everywhere),
• omniscient (all-knowing),
• self-sufficient,
• wise,
and more and more!
From that salvation moment I began to grow;
it was later that I learned that my growth was in Jesus. I was not
growing just as me, but uniquely as one of His own, and at the same time being
equipped "for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built
up until we all reach unity in the faith
and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the
whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13). This is a
big promise.
The "Rest" Of God
Jesus came and "lived among us" (John 1:14) to "defeat sin" and "destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8), to bring "glory to His, [and now our], Father" (2 Peter 1:17), and so that we "may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).
The "rest" Of God is a theme throughout Scripture and, I believe, is a part of being able to "know God" (Galatians 4:9) and "have life .. to the full". We can find "God's rest" when we can "be still".
"There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his" (Hebrews 4:10).
For years I struggled with this whole idea; it seemed to be so hard for me to rest with this God who had found me, this God who created and now sustains the whole Universe. Jesus brought the change when He taught me how to simply be with Him. Stillness helps. "Be still and know that I am God", yes, I can do that. Spirit to spirit, and face to face. Thank you Jesus, I am so grateful.
Not so long ago Trish and I were visiting our son Frankie and his family. Ada, their third, is now a toddler, (she was born during our first big Covid-19 lockdown last year). She came to me for a cuddle.
I have been talking to Ada since she was in Anlia's womb, and I am convinced that immediately she was born Ada recognised my voice. That evening Ada cuddled up to me and we had this sweet conversation (even though only I had words); she was content and comfortable in Pop's arms and was soon asleep, snuggling up, warm, safe. What love I felt; here was this little person who so trusted me that she could sleep in my arms. She had entered into the "rest of her Pop".
When I seek that stillness I am aware of Jesus being present, right there with me. The thought of being at rest in Him is now quite do-able, and from that I can find the peace that Jesus promises (John 14:27). In today's world this is a rare and precious thing.
Thank you my so-very-big God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• holy (unchangingly perfect),
• immutable (He never changes),
• infinite (self-existing, without origin),
• just,
• loving,
• merciful,
• omnipotent (all powerful),
• omnipresent (always everywhere),
• omniscient (all-knowing),
• self-sufficient,
• wise,
and more and more!
The "Rest" Of God
Jesus came and "lived among us" (John 1:14) to "defeat sin" and "destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8), to bring "glory to His, [and now our], Father" (2 Peter 1:17), and so that we "may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).
The "rest" Of God is a theme throughout Scripture and, I believe, is a part of being able to "know God" (Galatians 4:9) and "have life .. to the full". We can find "God's rest" when we can "be still".
"There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his" (Hebrews 4:10).
For years I struggled with this whole idea; it seemed to be so hard for me to rest with this God who had found me, this God who created and now sustains the whole Universe. Jesus brought the change when He taught me how to simply be with Him. Stillness helps. "Be still and know that I am God", yes, I can do that. Spirit to spirit, and face to face. Thank you Jesus, I am so grateful.
Not so long ago Trish and I were visiting our son Frankie and his family. Ada, their third, is now a toddler, (she was born during our first big Covid-19 lockdown last year). She came to me for a cuddle.
I have been talking to Ada since she was in Anlia's womb, and I am convinced that immediately she was born Ada recognised my voice. That evening Ada cuddled up to me and we had this sweet conversation (even though only I had words); she was content and comfortable in Pop's arms and was soon asleep, snuggling up, warm, safe. What love I felt; here was this little person who so trusted me that she could sleep in my arms. She had entered into the "rest of her Pop".
When I seek that stillness I am aware of Jesus being present, right there with me. The thought of being at rest in Him is now quite do-able, and from that I can find the peace that Jesus promises (John 14:27). In today's world this is a rare and precious thing.
Thank you my so-very-big God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The
love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from their sin.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints' and angels' song.
(Hymn: Frederick Lehman, 1917, during the very difficult days of World War One).
Amen.
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from their sin.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints' and angels' song.
(Hymn: Frederick Lehman, 1917, during the very difficult days of World War One).
Amen.
Favourite Bible Verses
"And he who searches hearts knows
what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints
according to the will of God" (Romans 8:27).
"I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me" (Acts 26:18).
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its surging. (Selah) There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High" (Psalm 46:1-4).
"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply .. Like this: 'Our Father in Heaven ..'" (Matthew 6:6-9 Message).
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Praise Jesus.
"I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me" (Acts 26:18).
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its surging. (Selah) There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High" (Psalm 46:1-4).
"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply .. Like this: 'Our Father in Heaven ..'" (Matthew 6:6-9 Message).
Permalink
https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2021/09/be-still-and-know.html
Praise Jesus.
