From Calvary Chapel of Roswell
Pastor Jim Suttle
Msg #548 Wednesday, March 04, 2009
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Be still, and know that I am God…(Ps 46:10)
Today, God is inviting you to KNOW that HE is GOD.
Today, it is a fresh invitation that I am encouraging you to accept. As I was seeking God on what to send out for the Edification today, I was drawn to this verse again. I sent out an e-mail edification about six months ago on the same verse. Yet, I sensed the Lord would have me to send it again…with a few changes. So today, in a fresh way – I invite you to KNOW He is God!
Today, Know God as your shelter and safe place.
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. (Ps 46:1)
God is a refuge. God is a safe and secure place that cannot be overtaken.
God is a strength. God has power, ability that is never depleted or weakened.
God is a present help. God is with us, He never abandons His kids…never!
Today there is security, power and rest in God available to you!
Today, Know that He is God….even when mountains shake
Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah (Ps 46:2-3)
A mountain is a picture of strength, something you can stand on, that seems strong and that will not change or move. Yet at times, things that we thought were mountains in life…shake, move and even fall apart.
A Job can be a mountain – a mountain that we thought was firm…yet moves.
Finances can be a mountain – a mountain that seemed firm..yet is not.
Nations can be a mountain – that seem so secure, yet can begin to crumble.
Friends can be mountains – that we thought would be there…yet fail us.
Family can be a mountain – that seemed so strong…yet can fall apart.
Health can be a mountain – that felt like a mountain…yet can begin shaking.
Mountains are not always as firm as we once thought they are. The Christian life is not one that exempts us from mountains moving in our lives. Mountains can be shaking falling apart and be filled with trouble even in the most Godly.
Today, Know God is God and be unafraid
Therefore we will not fear (Ps 46:2)
Christian, you are invited to know God is God – and be unafraid in the midst of mountains moving and shaking. This does not mean we are not impacted or concerned by these things – but neither are we terrified, in dreadful fear and in a place where all hope feels like it is failing. How? Because our hope is not to be in such things that can, do and will fall apart…but in God.
Today, know God is faithfully with us.
The Lord of hosts is with us; (Ps 46:7,11)
He never fails, He never abandons us. In the midst of chaos – He is there. This truth is repeated twice in this Psalm and it is how it ends – emphasizing that this is the point of understanding that can really bring hope to us – God is with us!
Today, know God is faithful even though we are not.
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah (Ps 46:7,11)
Notice how God describes Himself – as the God of Jacob. Is there meaning in this? Yes! Jacob could be translated as one who strives to handle life on his own. God later would change Jacob’s name to Israel. Israel means one who is governed and led by God. When God intentionally calls Himself the God of Jacob – it is a reference to Him being a God over an imperfect people who are often not fully surrendered to God. Is this important here? Yes! When mountains shake in our lives, often we feel unworthy to trust in the Lord now, seeing as we have not lived perfectly. We feel unworthy because of our Jacob like tendencies. Our accuser will often whisper to us that we are not able to enjoy the rest that this Psalm promises, because we are so imperfect. Yet, God, twice in this Psalm, intentionally reminds you that He is the God of Jacob. You are imperfect, and that is not an excuse to sin, but it is a reality. Yet in that reality, we have God…who is a God of Jacob…who is a refuge for such imperfect people as us. The God of Jacob is our refuge!
Today, know God will work it all out in our lives. He has a plan!
Christian, you and I know the end of this story. We know Heaven is coming. It is like knowing the last chapters of a book – that all will be good. Yet, today we find ourselves in the middle chapters of this world and our lives. Part of what this Psalm shows us and reminds us of is how God is going to sort all this out to a glorious end in our lives and in this world. Consider the rest of the verses:
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted. (Ps 46:4-6)
Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
(Ps 46:8-10)
Today – you are invited to Be Still and Know that He is God. God will be exalted…He is working all for good…it will all work out for us who are His. Today – I invite you to take time to honestly be still, and account in your own life that God is God – to be still and know His God and that He is working all for good. In the words of the famous Hymn…to know it is “well with your soul”.
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah (Ps 46:10-11)
Jim
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