What do you think of these quotes?
“Be still..."
"Cease striving..."
"Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop striving..."
These words are different versions of a line of the song recorded for us in Psalm 46.
Do you believe it is possible?
Being still and silent is possible.
But, cease striving?
I try.
There are places and times where it comes naturally for me, like sunrise on the beach on the east coast. But the problem is -
I live in Central Ohio.
Perhaps it’s the American way to try to make things happen, to continually be striving. Many times we do not even realize it. As Nike says, “Just Do It!”
However, those quotes were recorded in the Bible thousands of years ago in the Middle East. It looks like being busy, striving and noise might just be the 'human way'.
In all of those versions, the second half of the line is exactly the same, "... and know that I am God."
Aha! That is the reason those words are so important.
Be still. ‘Just be’ with God, no matter what is happening around you. It can mean time alone in a quiet place or simply closing your eyes and breathing for a few moments when everything around you is chaotic or stressful. It is the place inside where your trust and peace are renewed.
If you read the whole song, you will see it starts by declaring that God is our refuge. He is present with us in our troubles. Then the writer says we will not fear when
mountains crumble into the sea,
the earth quakes,
waters roar AND
mountains shake because of the raging waters.
Ummm - To be honest, I might be a bit afraid if I witnessed that.
Can you imagine the 2020 version of those two verses? It could start like this.
Therefore, we will not be afraid when swarms of locust destroy the crops, when a terrible virus hits every nation or when wildfires ravage the land.
I'm sure you could add your own lines to this. There are plenty of events to choose in 2020.
Is it possible that all of the shaking, whether physical or emotional, is actually good?
Is it possible, without the shaking, we will not get to a place where we regularly are still and cease striving, so we can know and trust God?
It makes me think of Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob. He is often known as “Joseph with the coat of many colors”,
As a teenager, God gave him dreams of his future. But Joseph was unable to "do" anything to accomplish them. His life took a turn that looked like it was the opposite direction of his dreams.
He was -rejected by his own brothers
-sold into slavery
-falsely accused and imprisoned
And then, forgotten for years by another prisoner that promised to mention Joseph’s plight to the pharaoh.
That is some serious shaking!
Even though others could see God's favor on Joseph, while he was a slave and a prisoner, Joseph had to think he had misinterpreted his dreams. His dreams showed him as the greatest star and the largest stalk of wheat being worshipped by stars and wheat that represented his family.
There was absolutely nothing Joseph could do to "make" his destiny happen. No planning or striving could get him into a position where others would bow to him, especially not his family. He may have been promoted when he was a slave and a prisoner. But he was still a slave and a prisoner,
Joseph's future and Joseph's life belonged to God.
He just had to do the next task in front of him the best that he could. No amount of “striving” would accomplish God’s plan. Only God could give him favor and success.
So why was Joseph shown his future?
Was it so Joseph could start working on his 5 year plan to make it happen? Or so Joseph could start promoting and positioning himself to be a great and powerful leader?
I cannot tell you why God gave him these dreams. I can only tell you, he continued to be faithful to God despite the terrible things that happened to him. He trusted God when his "position" looked bad. God gave him favor while he was a slave and a prisoner. Then, in God's perfect time, Joseph was able to humbly and wisely step into his position of power.
No matter his status among men, Joseph always remained God's faithful servant.
Friend, in our current circumstances, we can cease striving and be still because God can be trusted.
You are His precious child.
He delights in you.
Most importantly, nothing can stop God's destiny for you as you continue to come to Him.
The very things that may be shaking you now are actually positioning you, both inside and out.
I know it can be hard to believe. I know it can feel like you need to DO something.
But just like Joseph, you are dearly loved.
Just like Joseph, God has a purpose and plan for you.
AND nothing can thwart God's plan!
Are you familiar with Jeremiah 29:11? It was recorded as the Israelites were being removed from their home and taken to another land as captives.
Things were very very bad for them at the exact moment these words were written. From their view, it looked like their nation was being completely annihilated.
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
If you read the history of Israel, you will know that God did have a plan to bring them back and restore them as a nation.
Just like Joseph and the Israelites, there is a plan to prosper you and give you hope and a future.
When we take time to ‘just be’ before God, that hope is renewed.
Never Forget the Truth.....
Nothing can stop God's perfect plan for you.
