Be Still…

There is nothing harder than to be still when we are filled with anxiety. As Inauguration Day approaches, there are many who have concerns about our nation. We worry about the future and what might happen. We also worry about the fate of our democracy. There are many people are asking themselves what they should do about it. We may be tempted to take matters into our own hands, ensuring that justice is done. But who is really in control? Pride leads us to falsely believe that it is up to us to save our nation. As unrest may be stirring in your hearts remember this passage from Psalm 46:

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

In our pride we feel that we must change the world, forgetting who God really is. God is our help is times of trouble. God provides us refuge and gives us strength. God is our Living Water. He refreshes our souls even when our nation is in uproar. He has the power to accomplish all that he plans. But we must accept that our plans and God plans are not always aligned. Often we have already set our agenda and we simply want God to come alongside us and bless it. But this is not God’s way, He desires our humility and our deference to his will. He alone is God… “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8) What should we do at a time like this? Remember who God is and pray.

Be still, and know that I am God