Post by Les on Sept 14, 2023 12:08:39 GMT -5
Let Go By: Karen Huang
Click here for the Audio Message
Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 46
The owner of the bookshop where Keith worked had been away on holiday for only two days, but Keith, his assistant, was already panicking. Operations were smooth, but Keith was anxious that he wouldn’t do a good job overseeing the shop. Frenetically, he micromanaged all he could.
“Stop it,” his boss finally told him over a video call. “All you have to do is follow the instructions I email you daily. Don’t worry, Keith. The burden isn’t on you; it’s on me.”
In a time of conflict with other nations, Israel received a similar word from God: “Be still” (Psalm 46:10). “Stop striving,” He said in essence, “just follow what I say. I will fight for you.” Israel was not being told to be passive or complacent but to be actively still—to obey God faithfully while yielding control of the situation and leaving the results of their efforts to Him.
We’re called to do the same. And we can do it because the God we trust is sovereign over the world. If “he lifts his voice [and] the earth melts,” and if He can make “wars cease to the ends of the earth” (vv. 6, 9), then surely, we can trust in the security of His refuge and strength (v. 1). The burden of control over our life isn’t on us—it’s on God.
Reflect & Pray
How can you let go of situations that are out of your control and surrender them to God? What aspects of His character help you to surrender all to Him?
Almighty God, You know what’s troubling me. I don’t know how to deal with it, but You do. Help me surrender to Your leading.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jesus told His disciples that all Scripture anticipated His coming and specifically mentioned the book of Psalms (Luke 24:25–27, 44–47). Christ’s words remind us that when we read the Psalms, we should reflect on how they might point to Him. After all, He’s the Good Shepherd (John 10:11; Psalm 23) and our divine warrior who defeats the spiritual powers by His death and resurrection (Ephesians 4:8; see Psalm 68:18 ). There are many ways in which the Psalms anticipate Jesus. In fact, Psalms is one of the most cited books in the New Testament.
Psalm 46
King James Version
46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Click here for the Audio Message
Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 46
The owner of the bookshop where Keith worked had been away on holiday for only two days, but Keith, his assistant, was already panicking. Operations were smooth, but Keith was anxious that he wouldn’t do a good job overseeing the shop. Frenetically, he micromanaged all he could.
“Stop it,” his boss finally told him over a video call. “All you have to do is follow the instructions I email you daily. Don’t worry, Keith. The burden isn’t on you; it’s on me.”
In a time of conflict with other nations, Israel received a similar word from God: “Be still” (Psalm 46:10). “Stop striving,” He said in essence, “just follow what I say. I will fight for you.” Israel was not being told to be passive or complacent but to be actively still—to obey God faithfully while yielding control of the situation and leaving the results of their efforts to Him.
We’re called to do the same. And we can do it because the God we trust is sovereign over the world. If “he lifts his voice [and] the earth melts,” and if He can make “wars cease to the ends of the earth” (vv. 6, 9), then surely, we can trust in the security of His refuge and strength (v. 1). The burden of control over our life isn’t on us—it’s on God.
Reflect & Pray
How can you let go of situations that are out of your control and surrender them to God? What aspects of His character help you to surrender all to Him?
Almighty God, You know what’s troubling me. I don’t know how to deal with it, but You do. Help me surrender to Your leading.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jesus told His disciples that all Scripture anticipated His coming and specifically mentioned the book of Psalms (Luke 24:25–27, 44–47). Christ’s words remind us that when we read the Psalms, we should reflect on how they might point to Him. After all, He’s the Good Shepherd (John 10:11; Psalm 23) and our divine warrior who defeats the spiritual powers by His death and resurrection (Ephesians 4:8; see Psalm 68:18 ). There are many ways in which the Psalms anticipate Jesus. In fact, Psalms is one of the most cited books in the New Testament.
Psalm 46
King James Version
46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.