Be Still


“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 

I woke up this morning with this verse going through my mind. Not a coincidence, I suppose, for the day after the election.

I wonder if sometimes we breeze over this verse. Be still, and know that I am God. In our world today, be still makes us think of doing nothing, but doing nothing hardly seems accurate here.

The Hebrew word raphah (raw-faw') means to release or let go; refrain from or let alone; to relax or wait for. Causing yourself to let go of something is hardly doing nothing. Letting go can be hard work.

Children often struggle against their parents, thinking they know what’s best and wanting to do everything themselves. As a parent, I remember all the times I wanted to cry out, “Stop struggling! Let me help you!” Or when I explained, “I know you don’t agree or understand, but you just have to trust me on this.”

Don’t we do the same as adults? We want what we want, and we want it now! We want to understand. We ask When? Why? and How?

I imagine if we stopped struggling and trying to comprehend everything, we might hear Him say, Stop striving and worrying. Let Me be God. I know you don’t understand why or how…you just have to trust Me with this.

It’s not easy, but it is freeing. God is on His throne, no matter what happens, personally or nationally. And for that, I am forever thankful. (Tweet this)

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness and delight;
Come before His presence with joyful singing.
Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His].
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting,
His faithfulness [endures] to all generations.

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for your everlasting love, truth, and mercy. Please help us to remember that no matter what happens, You are in control. You are on Your throne. May we learn to be still, let go of all we’re struggling to hold on to and worrying about, and let You be God. In Jesus’ sweet name we pray, Amen.

In Christ,
Laura

7 comments:

  1. Great reminder this morning! One version says "Cease striving..." We could all use a little rest in the Lord. Visiting from #tellhisstory today and congratulations on being the featured writer this week!

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  2. Thank you for this post! A wonderful reminder that we have to trust God and know that He is still on the throne. Very encouraging!

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  3. Such truth here, Laura. I love that verse too and have clung to it in many times of distress, anxious thoughts or fearful moments. Thanks for sharing your heart!

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  4. It sure is hard to let go and fully trust God. Thanks for the inspiring reminder that God is on HIs throne no matter what. May He grant us the strength to be still and know. Blessings to you, Laura!

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  5. A good reminder that we need to trust God in all things. Praying for us all to quiet our hearts and continue to submit all things to His authority. Blessings to you!

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  6. Visiting from Thought Provoking Thursday. Thank you for this great post. Good reminders to rest in our Sovereign Lord.

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  7. Beautiful graphic and beautifully written post, Laura!

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