Be Still!
Our Scripture reading is Psalms 46:1-11. As we read this Psalm we see the
circumstances are very bilk yet we are reassured not to fear. Verse 1 tells us
why, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Refuge means shelter, a retreat, way to flee, an abode of God, habitation, high
fort (Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalms 62:7-8, Psalms 91:2,9).
One might say, how can we be still when things around us are falling apart?
1) Cast your cares on Jesus, for He cares for you (I Peter 5:7). The Bible says
in Philippians 1:6 says “being confident of this very thing, that He which has
begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
2) Submit your self to God, resist the devil (James 4:7-8). God is our strength.
Remember Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ which
strengthens me”.
3) Rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4-9). James says “count it all joy,
when you fall into diver temptations. Knowing this, the trying of your faith works
patience, but let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and
entire wanting nothing (James 1:2-4). You rejoice that God can do all things. It
is written “all things are possible to him who believes.” A rest for your activity
(trying to figure it out) allows us to focus our thoughts on the majesty of God. A
good example is Paul and Silas even after being beaten and put into jail in
stocks, they sang songs and praised God and “at midnight God showed up”
(Acts 16/:25-31). They rejoiced and in spite of their problems, they were
rescued and the jailer and his family were saved. In the natural, most people
would be crying and wondering why me? But because they trusted God, He
was able to change the situation, and in such a way that many were saved.
4) The battle is not yours (I Samuel 17:45-47). The whole Israel army was afraid
of Goliath the Philistine, but David put his trust in God and was victorious.
Psalms 37:5 says “commit yourself to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall
bring it to pass”. Proverb 3:5-6 says “trust in the Lord with all your heart and
lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He
shall direct your paths”.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: February 10, 2006