I don't know of a more difficult verse in the Bible to follow than Psalm 46:10. After all, it is not as if we have been taught to wait for anything in today's world. We live in a give me what I want NOW world that scoffs at the notion that if something does not happen then perhaps it was not God's will.
What does this verse say?
1. Be still - Have you ever stopped just to wait for God. Have you wanted Him to speak to you? Have you wanted him to let you know you are on the right path? Have you wanted his help to steer you from the wrong one? Have you ever stopped talking (either out loud or in your head) long enough to hear the sound of his voice? Read 1 Kings 19:11-13.
It is not in the cyclone that threatens to envelop us if we allow it. Buziness is the direct enemy of stillness. Being busy does not mean that we are accomplishing what God has intended. God desires for us to have an abundant yet purposeful life.
It is not in the distractions that the enemy puts before us. The things that so easily entangle us are sent by the enemy. They are sent to steer us off course. If the enemy can drive a wedge, he will. If there is a wall between you and God, will you hear it when he calls?
Rather it is in the gentle whisper that we hear God. By taking the first step of spending time in stillness, we begin to prepare ourselves to hear what the Lord has to say to us.
AND
We must be prepared and willing to hear it. God will not lead us astray. But we have to be diligent in staying focused on the will of God, not misinterpreting what we believe to be his will for our own gratification.
2. Know - We have to know that that we are listening to God. How do we do that? In that stillness, when you are alone, that is a perfect time to spend time learning about and getting to know God. You can do this through devotions, through reading your Bible, and by talking with God through prayer.
By contributing your time to these practices, it is like any other skill. It grows. For any athletes out there, you did not just pick up a basketball and become good. It took and still takes practice. Learning to listen and know God's voice and plan for our lives is no different.
You can not KNOW the plans that God has for you (Jeremiah 29:11) if you do not spend time building that relationship with him.
3. He is God - Sounds simple right? Yet how often as a society do we place other things before God, thus making them more important than God? See Deuteronomy 5:7-8, Exodus 20:3, and Psalm 81:9. Each of these verses talk about placing no other idol before God. In today's society, often many other things take the place of God - money, success, drugs, sex, etc. It is idol worship that takes the singular focus off God and places it onto whatever is held dear.
How many of you have heard that "Money can't buy happiness"? Fill it any with any word and it remains true.
But God can grant happiness. God can grant peace. God can grant understanding. God can calm a storm in troubled times. God can take your mess and turn it into success.
But before God will do any of those things, you have to bring your requests before Him (Philippians 4:6).
Then you have a choice.
You can try to force the issue and make things happen
or
You can be still and know that He is God. He has a plan for you and it is good.
Blessings to each and every one of you. God loves you and so do I.
Pastor Jim
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