Tag: Be Still and Know

Be Still and Know…

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

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

Our Verse of the Day focuses our thoughts on the sovereignty and majesty of God. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Sometimes we just need to stop and get quiet … and allow God to reveal Himself to us in a quiet place; far from the noise of life … away from everyone and everything that can distract us from experiencing and knowing the presence of God and hearing His still small voice. (Cf. 1 Kings 19:12) Sometimes we need to both isolate ourselves and insulate ourselves within a “prayer closet” and spend intimate time with God. The Father wants us to be still because He desires us to know Him in a personal way….

Sometimes we just need a reminder in these unsettled days that God is still on the throne….  He is still King of Kings and Lord of Lords! (Cf. 1 Timothy 6:15) He is the Alpha and the Omega … the beginning and the end! (Cf. Revelation 21:6; 22:13)  Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Cf. Hebrews 13:8) And there is nothing in this world … not in all creation … that will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Cf. Romans 8:38-39)  And so God says to us: “BE STILL!” Yes, know that HE is God and that HE will be exalted!

Isaiah 45:22-24 (NIV)

“Turn to me and be saved, all you people of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’” All who have raged against Him will come to Him and be put to shame.

Indeed, all the people … all the nations … and all who have ever dwelled upon the earth WILL bow to their knees before God and exalt Him! We can do so now out of love and obedience … but we will certainly do so on the Day of Judgement! No one will escape that day…. As the Apostle John prophesied: “Behold, He is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of Him.” So shall it be! Amen.” (Cf. Revelation 1:7) Yes, on that great day of the Lord, EVERYONE will acknowledge Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!  And so, if we know Him, if we know Him intimately … He bids us to be still. “The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.” (Cf. Habakkuk 2:20)

I believe the Lord Jesus wants us to know it is wise to be silent before Him … to rest in Him … to wait for Him. It is good to stop and sit at the feet of Jesus and just listen to Him. It is good to stop and sit at the foot of the cross and to ponder all that took place upon it. It is good to stop and kneel at the entrance of the empty tomb and just meditate on the power that raised Jesus from the dead. Yes, it is good to stop and worship the Alpha and the Omega and to exalt Him!

My friends, we do not need to walk in fear because of the circumstances we face or the hardships we might encounter in this life. God is sovereign over every aspect of our lives! He delights for us to know and trust Him. Our Lord Jesus encourages us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the things we need shall be provided to us.” (Cf. Matthew 6:33) Jesus invites us to approach Him: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Cf. Matthew 11:28) Yes, Jesus invites us to trust Him when He affirms: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Cf. John 11:25-26)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~ Philippians 2:9-11

The Visible – Invisible God…

Romans 1:20 (NIV)

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Our Verse of the Day has always resonated with me … when I think of the “apologetics” we have available in the Scriptures to speak with others about God. Do you need evidence for the existence of God? Do you need assurance for your faith? The Apostle Paul, through the wisdom given to him, affirms that you and I can look at creation and know the unseen attributes of God. We can understand both His eternal power and His eternal divine nature just from observing creation … with our eyes … eyes that He designed and formed for us to be able to view all the wonder and majesty of creation. The intricate design … the delicate order … the raw and fascinating beauty of the earth were created just for our habitation as living beings. It truly is incomprehensible; and yet, we can know this all comes from a God who passionately loves us!

Oh, how I delight in God every night when I look out into the universe and study the stars, their positions, and their ordered movements.  I think about ancient people who gazed on the same constellations and their parades across the night skies over the seasons of time.  It reminds me that God is faithful and steadfast … His mercies endure forever … His love is everlasting! Likewise, when I think about living creatures and the complexities of all life forms, I cannot help but be amazed at the diversity of life. I contemplate how no plant, animal, or human being had any choice, power, or control in being brought forth into existence here on earth. Our time here had already been determined (ordained) without our knowledge or consent. Everything that exists is by the will of God the Father; and I believe we would do well to embrace His loving will that we have been created in His image … created in Christ Jesus to do good works with God prepared in advance for us to do. (Cf. Ephesians 2:10) There have been no accidents or mistakes. Every person (soul) is precious to our Sovereign Creator.

We will not ever know or fully comprehend the unsearchable things of God. (Cf. Romans 11:33) As Moses affirmed: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this Law. (Cf. Deuteronomy 29:29) Still, I believe there are truths that God has given us the capacity to understand:

God is Spirit              (Cf. John 4:24)

God is Love                (Cf. 1 John 4:8; 4:16)

God is Holy                (Cf. Leviticus 19:2; 1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 99:9; Revelation 4:8)

God is Merciful         (Cf. Deuteronomy 4:31; Daniel 9:9)

God is Faithful          (Cf. Deuteronomy 7:9, 32:4; 1 Corinthians 1:9, 10:13)

All of these invisible aspects of His divine nature can be understood through His visible creation and through the testimonies of His Prophets. But even more, God has granted us to see Him through someone more tangible and visible: Jesus – His Son!

John 14:1-11 (NIV)

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.

My friends, “Jesus is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  (Cf. Colossians 1:15-17) Jesus is the revelation and declaration of God! And when we come to the conviction of His majesty and glory, then we will humble ourselves and fear Him with all the reverence and honor due His name! Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. (Cf. 1 Timothy 1:17) Yes, it is my prayer that each of us will see the God who sees us – El Roi!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven. ~ Hebrews 1:1-3