Still Joy!

Still Joy

Be Still and Know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.  Exodus 14:13

I find myself in a new season of life, with no "active ministry" before me.  God has been teaching me contentment, stillness, and trust.  I am drawn to the "go and make" teachings of the Bible.    Let us "do" this and Let us "do" that.

I heard a man speak on Psalm 46 when I was super busy with ministry.  My husband spoke on it at a funeral of a young co-worker just a couple of weeks ago.  It has become a theme of my life lately.

Commentators say Psalm 46 was written when Jerusalem was delivered from the Assyrians (2 Kings 18-20). Martin Luther based "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" on the teachings of this Psalm.  He is with you, He is your refuge, He is your ever present help in trouble.  The Message translates "Be still and know" as "step out of the traffic and take a long, loving look at me".  Read Psalm 46, it has become a great source of security and peace in my life:

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, through its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.  

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.  Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.  The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

"Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth.  He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.  

""Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

"The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

Our times are in His hands and if we are still, trusting in what is true of God, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way: walk in it.""

Step out of the traffic and take a long loving look at God.  Remember how He found you, how He saved your soul for eternity and how He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.  Thank Him for guiding you and tell Him you are ready to wait on Him.

You may want to read John 15 and enjoy taking a long loving look at heart of Jesus.  Talk to you soon.

Joy on the Journey

I have long enjoyed studying the Bible and have found assurance of my faith, strength for the day, practical wisdom, guidance for life and hope in the love of God.  So as I study, I will put thoughts, lessons and stories from my life walking with Jesus out on this blog.  I still have Joy in Knowing and Serving Jesus.