By: Rich McFate
Welcome back, or if it is your first time visiting, then welcome! I hope that you read Psalm 27. If you have not yet, then go do it, respond to the previous blog post if you like and then come back to us here.
The words of Psalm 46:10 have been rattling around in by brain lately. It says, “Be still and know that I Am God; I will be exalted in the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”
I know the primary reason the verse has come to mind is that I am being required to be more still. Probably for most of us, we are finding ourselves to be less busy. However, I know for some that these times have increased their level of attentiveness, expanded their responsibilities and re-prioritized their activities. Please pause right now and thank God for those who are carrying a heavier load at this time, ask God to protect and strengthen them and help them to be successful in the services they provide. . . . Amen!
Unfortunately, just being still does not mean that I connect immediately with God. We need to purposefully still and quiet our souls so that we can hear the voice of our Creator Savior. We need to practice calming our hearts and eyes so that we can see His powerful hands work in and through these stormy times. In Psalm 131 we find these words:
1 LORD, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I don’t concern myself with matters too great
or too awesome for me to grasp.
2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.
Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. NLT
Once I have purposefully changed my focus from the things that bombard me from outside and the things that assail me from within, I can sit contently in my relationship with God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
The lyrics of the song “My Soul is Anchored” by Douglas Miller seem especially appropriate. I hope you agree.
Though the storms keep on raging in my life, And sometimes it's hard to tell my night from day. Still that hope that lies within is reassured As I keep my eyes upon the distant shore; I know He'll lead me safely to that Blessed place He has prepared
But if the storms don't cease, And if the wind keeps on blowing, (in my life) My soul has been anchored in the Lord.
I realize that sometimes in this life You're gonna be tossed by the waves And the currents that seem so fierce, But in the word of God I've got an anchor; And it keeps me steadfast and unmovable Despite the tide. But if the storms don't cease, But in case the wind keeps on blowing, (in my life) My soul has been anchored in the Lord. My soul has been anchored in the Lord.
I invite you to read all of Psalm 46 today. I hope that some of you will respond below with your own thoughts and insights of what God is showing you in His Word and through our present circumstances. UNLOCK BONUS CONTENT by reading Hebrews 6:13-20 reflect on the meaning of anchor in this context.
Beyond the blog comments, I know some of you reading this also have things you can share to encourage our church body. If you would like to make a blog contribution to GBC for consideration, please send your blog submission to mail@gbclaurel.com.