BE STILL

BE STILL

"Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has wrought desolations in
the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the
bow, and shatters the spear, he burns the chariots with fire! 'Be still
and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in
the earth!' The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our
refuge." (Psalm 46:8-11)

One of the challenges, especially for those of us who are Type A
personalities is to BE STILL. Some of us our so wrapped up in the DOING
of the Christian life, that we neglect BEING all that God wants us to
be. Most men are afraid to BE STILL. We avoid it at all costs. But God
wants us to learn this wonderful truth.

Mrs. Cowman in her classic devotional work, STREAMS IN THE DESERT, wrote
these words: "I do not believe we have even begun to understand the
wonderful power there is in being still. We are in such a hurry, always
doing, that we are in danger of not allowing God the opportunity to
work. You may be sure that God will never say to us, 'Stand still,' 'Sit
still,' or 'Be still' unless HE is going to do something. This is our
problem regarding the Christian life: we want to do something to be
Christians, instead of allowing HIM to work in us.

Think of how still you stand when your picture is being taken, as the
photographer captures your likeness on film. God has one eternal purpose
for us: that we should be 'conformed to the likeness of His Son' (Romans
8:29). But in order for that to happen, we must stand still. We hear so
much today about being active, but maybe we need to learn what it means
to be quiet."

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! thy best, thy Heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul! the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul! when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Katharina Amalia von Schlegel

Good words to ponder as we worship the Lord today -- on HIS day!