Verse of the Day 3/18

Verse of the Day 3/18

Psalm 46:10-11   "Be still, and know that I am God.

    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!"
¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah    English Standard Version (ESV)

I know that I have posted these verses as the "Verse of the Day" several times over the years and also mentioned that R.C. Sproul has said that when says "be still" here, God is literally saying here "be quiet!" or even "shut up".  Above the din, amid all of the chaos in the world around us we need to stop, away from the tumult and seek Him.  It is not a one-time thing, it is not a once a week thing, it is not only when we are in trouble, but it should be our habit, our daily time with Him to withdraw from the din and listen to God, who is our fortress.

A.W. Tozer, in "The Pursuit of God" writes, "It is important that we get still to wait on God.  And it is best that we get alone, preferably with our Bible outspread before us.  Then if we will we may draw near to God to begin to hear Him speak to us in our hearts.  I think for the average person the progression will be something like this:  First a sound of a Presence walking in the garden.  Then a Voice, more intelligible, but still far from clear.  Then the happy moment when the Spirit begins to illuminate the Scriptures, and that which had only been a sound, or at best a voice, now becomes an intelligible word, warm and intimate and clear as the word of a dear friend.  The will come life and light, and best of all, ability to see and rest in the embrace of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of All."

We recently read in Isaiah 40, "those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength."  It is that getting alone with God, waiting in faith for His answer to us with an intelligible word, warm clear and intimate.  It won't be found apart from Him, apart from His Word and apart from prayer over His Word.

The Lord of hosts, the Lord of the angel armies is with us, He is our Mighty Fortress.  Be still and know that He is God.

1. A mighty fortress is our God,  a bulwark never failing;  our helper he amid the flood  of mortal ills prevailing.  For still our ancient foe  doth seek to work us woe;  his craft and power are great,  and armed with cruel hate,  on earth is not his equal.  2. Did we in our own strength confide,  our striving would be losing,  were not the right man on our side,  the man of God's own choosing.  Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus, it is he;  Lord Sabaoth, his name,  from age to age the same,  and he must win the battle.  3. And though this world, with devils filled,  should threaten to undo us,  we will not fear, for God hath willed  his truth to triumph through us.  The Prince of Darkness grim,  we tremble not for him;  his rage we can endure,  for lo, his doom is sure;  one little word shall fell him.  4. That word above all earthly powers,  no thanks to them, abideth;  the Spirit and the gifts are ours,  thru him who with us sideth.  Let goods and kindred go,  this mortal life also;  the body they may kill;  God's truth abideth still;  his kingdom is forever.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Psalm 46:7-11 The Message (MSG)

⁷ Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

^8-10 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
    He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
    breaks all the weapons across his knee.
"Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
    loving look at me, your High God,
    above politics, above everything."

¹¹ Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.