Be still, and know that I am God…
Psalm 46:10a KJV
This is a life verse, in no small part because it’s constantly a saving grace in my life. Interestingly enough, the Holman version has it as “Stop your fighting—and know that I am God…” That’s especially relevant in my life right now. “Stop your fighting.” Lately all I do is fight, and I’m not exactly sure why. I do know that when the Spirit comes to me with “Be still!,” I am able to do it and the frenzied haze of fighting lifts.
In God’s Sovereignty, Martha wrote:
“ALL things work together for good to those who love God. That means if you love Him, you will sift through – and BE sifted through – to the resolution of those things that don’t seem to be good.”
Neither sifting through nor being sifted through are particularly pleasant endeavors. More than a few times, I have said to the Lord, “Can’t I just forgive and be done with this forever? Why does it keep coming back up?!” To me, one of the strangest parts of the life of a disciple is accepting that the sifting isn’t out of the ordinary. It is, in fact, entirely normal in daily relationship with God. I am either sifting through something or I am being sifted through. And when something particularly knotty or deep-rooted is in the pipeline, I cry and I fight.
Why Can’t I Be Still?
Once I hated to cry, because it felt like weakness. Now I don’t mind it at all, and without it, I would pop like a grape. Maybe you can have an open, vulnerable heart without tears, but I’ve never seen it. So I cry. I also fight. When life nicks an old wound, I either cry or I fight. Lately I’ve done both, but mostly fighting.
“Be still, and know that I am God…” “Stop your fighting…” This verse comes to me from the Lord of War and Thunder. It isn’t a whisper; it’s a roar. And when I obey that roar to be still, I am rewarded with a release from the pain of the sifting. I am lifted out of the raw sensitivity under bombardment and into the peace of Christ alone. “Be still!” is a ferocious “Enough!” But I’ve also seen that it’s a Father’s cry of “Be loved!”
There’s nothing fun about the sifting, but every sifting is amply rewarded. To sift through my life and to allow myself to be sifted through is part of how I love the Lord. Everything after is how He loves me. I give Him griping and groaning, yelling and hurting, fighting and crying. God gives me peace, quiet, joy, healing, companionship, protection, glory, and bliss. What a trade!
Let be and 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 Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Psalm 46:10-11 AMP
Powerful stuff!
Jennifer, I’m awed by the way you and John open your hearts for all of us to see… and to know that we’re not alone in our struggles! 🙂 Blessings and love to you both! This blog is such a daily blessing!
Yep!
Yes, Jennifer. This is just an amazing revelation. AMAZING!:
“Be still, and know that I am God…” “Stop your fighting…” This verse comes to me from the Lord of War and Thunder. It isn’t a whisper; it’s a roar. And when I obey that roar to be still, I am rewarded with a release from the pain of the sifting. I am lifted out of the raw sensitivity under bombardment and into the peace of Christ alone. “Be still!” is a ferocious “Enough!” But I’ve also seen that it’s a Father’s cry of “Be loved!”
Bless you!
“Sifting”: this brought a picture of sifting ingredients for cooking, and I almost left some important ingredients out, soda and salt. Oh the bread would not have risen………HIS sifting allows the Risen LORD to come into me and your brilliant
sharing of HIS sifting through us will come again and again. I too am guilty of “griping, groaning, yelling and crying”
YES, Lord I want you more than I want my way.
Thank you Jennifer and may HE continue to BLESS you . LOVE YOU
precious…to hide in The Rock.
xxx