| Dear
Courageous Ones,
As a younger believer, at
times I would subconsciously avoid reading Scripture that
suggested that life may not always be smooth, effortless
and trouble-free. The older I get, the more I've appreciated
reading how God provides the sheltering strength that
successfully leads us through difficult situations.
In this regard, a verse
of great comfort to me has always been Psalm 46:10a, "Be
still [cease our efforts] and know that I am God..."
Reading the whole psalm adds richness to the meaning of
verse ten. Verse one begins by telling us what God does
for us when we are in trouble and are tempted to fear.
Psalm 46:1 God /s our refuge
and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore
will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though
the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though
the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah,
Sometimes it seems that
our lives are falling out from under us, that the typically
quiet seas of our lives are a deafening roar, and that
the mountain peaks of our lives are violently quaking.
Yet, amidst it all, God is our refuge, strength and ever-present
helper.
This psalm tells us in three
verses that God is "our refuge." Psalm 46:1,
"God is owrefuge and strength..." And, 46:7
& 11,".. .the God of Jacob is our refuge."
In verse one the Hebrew
word used refers to "a shelter to which we flee."
In verses 7 and 11, it is a different Hebrew term that
refers to a refuge that is "a high tower or fortress
that is an inaccessible and impregnable place." Oh,
how often we need not only a shelter to flee to, but a
high place where His protection is secure and unreachable
from our enemy's reach! God, take my heart and life to
the protection of your higher ground!
Each of these three verses
that promises His sheltering protection (refuge) also
promises His presence. Verse one tells us that He is "very
present [found near]" and verses 7 and 11 (which
share identical wording) promise that Jehovah of hosts
[mighty armies] is with us. Isn't it great to have the
God of mighty heavenly armies [hosts] on our side in all
of life's battles! So, Psalm 46 teaches us that in the
high sheltering refuge that God has provided for us, He
will magnify and energize His presence and strength to
us. That's the place where we
can "be still [cease our efforts] and know that He
is God." When we are "still" in Him, then
we "know."
Even amidst the challenges
and difficulties during our walk in this world, Jesus
also left a promise that his yoke is one of rest and relief.
It still holds true.
Matthew 11:28-30
(Amplified Bible)
28 Come to Me, all you who
labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I Will
cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh
your souls.]
29 Take My yoke upon you
and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly)
in
heart, and you wilt find rest (relief and ease and refreshment
and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
30 For My yoke is wholesome
(useful, good-not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but
comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden
is light and easy to be borne.
No matter what we are faced with during
our life-journey, as we rest in the protection and presence
of His high tower, let us courageously proclaim, 'Therefore,
we will not fear..." Psalm 46:2a (NIV).
Resting in His Care,
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