WATCHWORD:
1 God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. 2 And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble! 4 There is a river of joy flowing through the city of our God—the sacred home of the God above all gods. 5 God himself is living in that city; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay his help. 6 The nations rant and rave in anger—but when God speaks, the earth melts in submission and kingdoms totter into ruin. 7 The Commander of the armies of heaven is here among us. He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us. 8 Come, see the glorious things that our God does, how he brings ruin upon the world 9 and causes wars to end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon. 10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:1-10
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Meditation:
Be Still and Know
Read again the passage from Psalm 46, only this time read it secure in the knowledge that we are children of the Almighty, our Creator God who is our refuge and strength. Knowing that in times of trouble we don’t have to worry, we don’t have to fear, even if the world blows up, because we are guaranteed a place of peace in eternity with our God.
Wouldn’t you like to swim in that river of joy flowing through the City of God, the sacred home of He who is our Father and we the adopted children of this unimaginable power that has created the world. We are residents of the City of God and nothing can touch us and harm us as long as we maintain our faith in the Lord. Even as we sense things happening beyond our control, we pray that the Lord will give us strength to be still and to have confidence and to know that our God this in charge and we are His.
Is that us? Can we do that? When have you been still, quiet, and secure in the knowledge that He is God and you are His? When was the last time you allowed concern and worry work their way into your peace of mind? Do you fret about money? Worry about your our grown children and what is happening in their lives? Perhaps, your concern is focused on your health, or the health of someone close to you? Or your finances?
If worry undermines your peace of mind, try this praye in the quiet of your time with God, “Lord, I am worried about ___?___ and I bring all of it to You, Father. I entrust it to you that your will be done according to Your master plan. Now help me, Lord, to be still and to know that You are in charge, and You love me and You will take care of this. Amen.
Can you pray that and rest in the abiding confidence that God is in charge and can handle it? Be still and know that He is God. Amen.
Closing Prayer:
Dear Lord, show us how to live in a place where we are aware of our daily communion with You. As Your children we humbly come before You with gratitude and thank You that we rest under the shelter of Your wings, here in the secret place of Your presence. I humbly hand over my life, my heart, my all to you. Search me and know me, show me anything in my life that is keeping me from being as close as I can be with You, for I trust Psalm 91:1 which tells me that he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Amen.
