×

Getting, Being, and Staying Still

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Ps. 46:10-11

     Sovereign Father, whenever I hear the command, “Be still,” I have to remind myself that you’re not telling us to sit still, but to be still; and there’s a world and a gospel of difference between the two. Sometimes we can be sitting perfectly still but our thoughts and hearts race all over the place, and our hands reach for something to hold onto—something to either stabilize or anesthetize us in a world over which we have zero control.

     We can will our way into a seat, but nothing but the gospel can bring our racing thoughts into captivity; nothing but grace can center our wondering and wandering hearts; nothing but your love can give us an anchor of real peace and hope.

     When we’re still, we remember that you are God and nothing and no one else is. That’s the best news of this or any day. You have no competition—counterfeits, but no competition. There are demigods, semi-gods, wannabe gods, but only you are God.

     Kings and nations aren’t god; for one day you will be exalted among all the nations. The nations are like tiny droplets in your big bucket (Isa. 40:15). Storms and environmental disasters aren’t god, for you will be exalted in the earth. You send the earthquake and harness the hurricane for your purposes (including hurricane Matthew).

     Neither are our circumstances god, nor our transitions; not the opinions of others, nor is getting older; neither are the choices of people we love, or the blunders we ourselves commit. Only you are God… Hallelujah!

     Father, help us to see how your hand and heart are at work in everything. You are working all things together after the counsel of your will. You are working in all things for the good of those who love you; and we love you because you first loved us. With palms up in surrender and praise, we enter this day with fresh perspective and encouraged hearts. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ most excellent and exalted name.

LOAD MORE
Loading