And Know

Blaise Pascal, the French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher of days gone by, said,  "Nearly all the ills of life spring from this simple source: that we are not able to sit still in a room."

God said, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)

When we read that verse, we tend to focus on the first phrase. Be still. And of course, that's an important part of the verse.

Be still. Or, as the NASB renders the verse, cease striving. The Amplified Bible puts it this way: Let be and be still.

But let's not forget the rest of the verse. Just being still, as important as that is, is not enough.  

Be still, and know that I am God.

Don't forget the "and know" part of the verse.

Again, let's look to the Amplified Bible for clarification. Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God.

Be still. That's important. Cease striving. Stop worrying. Be aware.

And know. Not just give mental assent to. Recognize and understand in the very core of your being.  Know. Know that you know that you know.  

Recognize and understand who God is.  

Certainly He is a loving God. He is also a just God. A righteous God. A providing God.  He is a Sovereign God.  

Be still and know that I am God.  

Whatever the circumstances of your life. Whatever decisions you are facing. Whatever emotional upheaval may encompass you today. Whatever. In every circumstance of life. In the big things and in the little things. Know this. He is God.

There is nothing facing you or me today that He can't handle. Because He is God.

Think about that today. Ponder that. Live in light of that. Be still. And know.

"Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted among the earth!"  (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Something to Think About

 I have been using the same devotional book - My Utmost for His Highest - for as long as I can remember. And each year I have learned from it and been blessed by it. Each year it speaks to me at a different point.

But there is one point that gets me every time. Every January 3 I have to pause and consider this point. And more so with each passing year.

Chambers had this to say: “If we have never had the experience of taking our casual, religious shoes off our casual, religious feet - getting rid of all the excessive informality with which we approach God - it is questionable whether we have ever stood in his presence.”

Our culture has become increasingly informal, even sloppy, in the way we dress and the way we conduct ourselves. That informality has spilled over into the church. I’m not suggesting we go back to the stiff formality of the Puritans or the Victorians. But I am suggesting that our extreme informality may have gone too far. 

Read the Chambers quote again. Then stop to consider who God is. Reflect on His character and His attributes. His holiness. His majesty. His omnipotence. 

Are we honoring God with our “excessive informality”?

Something to think about.

A Prayer for the New Year

  

I hope your new year is off to a good start. We had a very quiet New Year's Eve, at least until the fireworks started! We celebrated New Year's Day with a traditional meal of greens, peas, ham, and cornbread, then spent the day relaxing. So far, this new year is good!

Last year began in much the same way, and it was a good year. At least, it was until cancer entered our world. Once my husband was diagnosed with cancer in August, life got a little crazy!

There had been no symptoms, so the diagnosis came as a complete surprise. We had no idea. But God did.  

I have no idea where this new year will take us. But God does. And just as He has guided us every step of this journey, He will continue to do so. 

As one year has ended and another has begun, I want to thank you for stopping by. And I want to offer my very best wishes for a Happy New Year, a year of joy and peace and our Father's bountiful blessings! As we begin this new year, this is my prayer for each of us:



Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be,

In working or in waiting, Another year with Thee;

Another year of leaning Upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of mercies,Of faithfulness and grace;

Another year of gladness In the shining of Thy face;
Another year of progress, Another year of praise;

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of service, Of witness for Thy love;

Another year of training For holier work above.

Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in heaven, Another year for Thee.

 -Frances R. Havergal