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Dr. Dianne Coflin, Co-Pastor-River of Life Church
I am always amazed at how relevant the Bible is, though written thousands of years ago. This morning I was reading in Psalms 46 (AMP). This was a Psalm written by the sons of Korah who set these words to music, meaning they had received revelation and as a result worshipped the Lord. In verse one they remind us that “God is our refuge and strength (mighty and impenetrable to temptation), a very present and well-proved help in trouble.”
This is such a comforting verse knowing that God is a place of shelter and strength, providing help in times of adversity and in anguish. He is not responsible for trouble when it comes, though He is so often accused. In fact, in the first chapter of James he exhorts us to never allow words to come out of our mouths that God could bring evil into our lives, for God is incapable of being tempted by what is evil and He does not tempt or test anyone with evil.
In verse two, the Psalmists went on to sing because of their understanding that God was their refuge and strength, and as a result they did not need to fear. The conditions they described on the earth in their time were no different than today. They said, “…though the earth should change, though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas, though the waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult” their hearts would not fear.
I can only believe that they had received revelation and experienced the mighty shelter and refuge God could be, in their times of trouble. This Psalm goes on to say in verse six, “The nations raged, the kingdoms toppled and were moved.” Wow, once again sounds like the tumultuous times we are experiencing.
Verse 10 of this Psalm was the most interesting to me. It says, “…be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!” The reason I find this verse to be so profound is the encouragement to us to be still and know, what? That He is God! This was their solution to such tumultuous times. Isn’t that the exact opposite of the way we typically act?
When times are tumultuous and seemingly full of trouble, there is a grave temptation to be anxious and fearful, and the last thing you’d probably think of is to be “still!” To be still here means to slacken or lighten up literally and physically to get quiet – to know to become fully acquainted with and discover and understand that our God is the SUPREME GOD!
This word “still” also comes from a root meaning that makes this action even more powerful. It means “to cause to heal” from either personal or national distress. In our stillness and quietness before God something supernatural takes place.
The psalmists knew that this was the solution. In our stillness, by getting quiet God would heal us from that which the enemy devised against us. This was why they could boldly proclaim in these verses that the Lord was their refuge and fortress and high tower, for the Lord would beckon them to come and “behold His works.”
He would cause them to see that He was the one who made wars to cease by breaking the bows into pieces and snapping the spears in two and burning the chariots in the fire. In other words, in verse six, He “uttered His voice” and the earth pays attention, and He is exalted above the nations, defeating enemies, and bringing peace to all who come to Him in times of trouble.
To those who would be still and let go of their fears, He is able to reveal His Love and become their place of shelter even when they are overwhelmed. I encourage you today to get still. It is not always easy but so profoundly needed in our lives. Selah (Pause, and calmly think of that)! Food for thought.
Dr. Dianne Coflin – Co Pastor River of Life Church – 410 East Chapman Rd. Lutz, Florida. Service times 10:30 Sunday morning and 7:00 Wednesday evening. Childcare provided. Would love to have you visit!
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