Chill Out! So, let me break this down for you. I am a firm believer that God is always speaking to us. The problem is that we are rarely ever listening. He speaks to us in all kinds of different ways, thru music, art, nature, a sermon, words of knowledge from His children, or any number of other ways. The way God speaks to me the most is by bringing scripture to my remembrance. So, logically, the more scripture I get in me, the more references He has to work with. The problem is that I am not always listening. Worry, anxiety, entertainment, work, family, and even ministry can get in the way of my quiet time with God. I wrote a whole blog entry about how I wasted an entire weekend men’s retreat fishing when I should have been spending time siting in the woods with my Bible and my journal seeking the face of God. You can read that by clicking here.
So, I wanted to discuss the verse that He uses the most to speak to me, and how I interpret it. I often hear God saying to me, “Be still, and know that I am God!” It’s the first half of Psalm 46:10. What this verse says to is “Just chill out. I know things are tough right now. I know you’re anxious, nervous and scared. I know that you can’t see a light at the end of the long dark tunnel, but, you know the last time I carried you through the hard times? That last problem did not empty Me of My power. My power is still sufficient to handle anything life can throw at you. And just like the last time, this problem will not knock Me off My Throne.
When I go back and read the entire Psalm 46 (1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude4 A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.6 The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!7 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude8 Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world.9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”11 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude) it describes God and His Heaven being an impenetrable fortress that I can hide in while everything on Earth crumbles and burns. He offers us refuge in His Kingdom through the Blood of His Son, Jesus.
The next time you are feeling overwhelmed by circumstances that out of your control, just remember that they are not out of His control. Just chill out and know that God is on the Throne and there is nothing that is going to change that. He wants you to come to Him with your problems, and He wants you to have faith that he has the power to work things out for your benefit and for His Glory.