Be Still In His Presence

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)
 
Be Still. On the days when we have a to-do list that’s a mile long, it can feel nearly impossible to do this.
 
When we are consumed and lost within the chaos of our schedules, we become numb to His voice and lose out on the precious things the Lord wants to share with us.
 
Too often we waste time struggling and panicking about our problems, thinking we have the power to solve them alone. We saddle ourselves with more tasks than we can bear, hoping our issues will fade away if we just try hard enough.
 
All the while, the Lord is standing alongside us, patiently waiting for us to cease our struggling so He can reach over and help.
 
Think of a person who is at a hospital waiting to receive a shot. The doctor cannot do their job effectively if the patient is struggling to sit still.
 
For us, it is the same with God. He is the ultimate physician and problem solver, but He will never force Himself upon you when you attempt to do things without Him.
 
Today, try to find time to sit down and be still before Him. The Lord will not shout over our chaos, but wait for us to quiet ourselves in His presence.
 
That is the place where you will hear His voice the clearest. When you choose to do this, He is exalted and able to bless you with His love.
 
When I read this devotion it blessed me. I pray you are encouraged to be still, quiet yourself and make time to bask in His presence. He is patiently waiting for you.
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!


Be Still, My Soul!

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself . . . (Psalm 131:2) 
 
Picture a parent poised lovingly over a child, finger gently placed in front of nose and lips softly speaking the words—“hush,” “shhhh.” The demeanor and simple words are meant to comfort and quiet anxious little ones in the midst of disappointment, discomfort, or pain. Scenes like this are universal and timeless and most of us have been on the giving or receiving end of such loving expressions. When I ponder Psalm 131:2, this is the picture that comes to mind. 
 
The language and flow of this psalm suggest that the writer, David, had experienced something that provoked serious reflection. Have you experienced a disappointment, defeat, or failure that prompted thoughtful, reflective prayer? What do you do when you are humbled by life’s circumstances? When you fail a test or lose a job or experience the end of a relationship? David poured out his heart to the Lord and in the process did a bit of honest soul-searching and inventory (Psalm 131:1). In making peace with his circumstances, he found contentment like that of a young child who was satisfied with simply being with his or her mother (v. 2). 
 
Life’s circumstances change and sometimes we are humbled. Yet we can be hopeful and content knowing that there is One who has promised to never leave or forsake us. We can trust Him fully. 
 
Father, when things change in my life, help me not to be anxious but to trust You and find contentment in You alone. Amen. 
 
This devotion blessed me. So often we can become overwhelmed and fearful of change but we must remember where contentment is found, in Christ alone. Be still my soul The Lord is on your side, bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide in every change He faithful will remain. 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Philippians 3:13-14


Taking Time With God

For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. (Isaiah 30:15)

I recently read, It can be hard to put time aside from our eventful days to rest and be quiet before God as today’s Scripture instructs.

Being quiet before God gets even harder when a monkey wrench is thrown into our busy lives. This could be a death in the family, a rebellious child, the loss of a job, or anything at all that is unexpected. When any of these happen to us, our first response is often to set things back to “normal mode”. Who wouldn’t want to do this? We look for the plans of action necessary to set things in order and ask God to bless us along the way. We fall into the trap that action is the only solvent for the unexpected problems in life. When many times, we simply need to live as the Psalmist and “be still and know that [He is] God” Psalm 46:10. Our comfort won’t come from solving the issues alone, but knowing God and his ways during our busy life.

Begin taking 5 minutes out of your workday to be in a quiet place and rest in God. As we begin to make this a habit, we will understand its importance and remember to make more time during our busy lives for God.

May we be still today, even for a moment and make time with God. He is patiently waiting for you to make time for Him. Let that day be today.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Psalm 46



Be Still

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

I recently read, we are being instructed in this verse to let go, to be quiet, and to be physically & mentally still. For most of us stillness, silence, and serenity are difficult to find. Even when we are able to find it externally, it can still be difficult to cultivate stillness internally. Life is busy and so are our minds!

It is not only tough to make the time to be still; it’s tough to create stillness in our mind and body. The idea of being still goes against what we naturally, and culturally, do. Our inclination is to step on the gas and go full speed ahead, believing that doing more, and having more, makes us more complete. Instead, God is telling us here to hit the brakes and be still. If we are busy being busy, God’s voice can be nearly impossible to hear, but the problem is that many times we view being still with God as inactivity. It is critical to our faith to realize that the more we are deliberately still:

* the more we hear God’s voice,
* the better we recognize God’s activity,
* the smaller our issues seem,
* the bigger God appears,
* and the more we follow God’s divine purpose for us, instead of just our own agendas, ideas, and abilities.

When was the last time you released the pressing issues in your life to God? When was the last time you relaxed in the presence of God? Can you set aside just a few minutes today to “be still” before God, and to listen for His voice?

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Proverbs 3:5-6



Trust Him

Be still, and know that I am God . . . (Psalm 46:10)
 
When Jesus was denouncing the unrepentant towns where He had done most of His miracles (Matt. 11:20–24), He still had words of comfort for those who would come to Him. He said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (vv. 28–29).
 
This statement is striking! Immediately following His strong words for those who were rejecting Him, Jesus extended an invitation to all to draw near to Him to find the peace we all yearn for. Jesus is the only one who can calm our restless, weary souls.
 
No matter what you go through, no matter what your currently dealing with always remember, the Lord is faithful. He will provide, even in the darkest moments, He is there. I once heard a saying, When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go. Only one of two things will happen: either He’ll catch you when you fall, or He’ll teach you how to fly! God closes doors no man can open and God opens doors no man can close. Trust Him to be the door keeper of your life. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). 
 
I come to You now, Lord, in need of rest for my heart. Help me to trust You and be confident in Your love and in Your direction. Guide my every footstep. Amen.
 
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
 
Today’s Reading is Matthew 11:25-30