Through the Bible - Deuteronomy 14-16, Mark 14:10-31
Good morning,
Over the weekend Pastor Bob gave a powerful sermon regarding how we cope with pain, suffering, and tragedies. He spoke from his heart and from personal experience. Many there, myself included, were brought back to those times in our lives.
Bob quoted from Psalm 77, a psalm of Asaph, who was going through one of those times. I followed along, reading from the Amplified Bible-
2In the day of my trouble I seek (inquire of and desperately require) the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out [in prayer] without slacking up; I refuse to be comforted.
That's exactly how we feel in those situations, inquiring and desperately requiring God. Often times answers don't come and it appears that God is silent, or worse, not doing anything about it. It's at this time that reality sets in and we may feel anger and question God, even our faith in God. At some point we'll come to the place that Stephen Curtis Chapman sings about in "Be Still and Know". It was a powerful song and message to me in the days following Jeff's accident.
Be Still and Know - Stephen Curtis Chapman
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still oh restless soul of mine
Bow before the prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still
Be speechless
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know He is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still
Be still
Consider the words "be still" and "be speachless". It is the picture of collecting your thoughts and listening for His voice. It is also a time for reflection and remembering what God has done for us in the past.
Today's verse comes from Psalm 143 where David is going through another difficult time, seeking deliverance from the situation. He calls out to God, but midway through stops and "remembers".
Psalm 143: 5 I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
6 I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah NKJV
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
6 I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah NKJV
If you are going through one of those times. Pray, but if you are having difficulty, be still (Ps. 46:10), know that He is God, and remember His works. What He has done as recorded in His Word and in your life. Then stretch out your needy hand and seek Him, longing for Him in your desert place.
Read the psalm below. Can you relate? God still may not answer "speedily", but we are to trust. Perhaps years from now you'll see where God was working upstream from the vantage point of a location further downstream.
Psalm 143
A Psalm of David.
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD,Give ear to my supplications!
In Your faithfulness answer me,
And in Your righteousness.
2 Do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no one living is righteous.
3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in darkness,
Like those who have long been dead.
4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart within me is distressed.
5 I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
6 I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah
7 Answer me speedily, O LORD;
My spirit fails!
Do not hide Your face from me,
Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.[a]
10 Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
11 Revive me, O LORD, for Your name's sake!
For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 In Your mercy cut off my enemies,
And destroy all those who afflict my soul;
For I am Your servant.
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