e-votional
a message to encourage and uplift from College Heights Baptist Church
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
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8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Cease striving 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 stronghold. Selah. – Psalms 46:8-11 (NASB)
When I was a child, my family traveled out west with my dad. He was a musician, and his band was playing a series of dates in Wyoming and South Dakota. I’ll never forget visiting Mt. Rushmore. It is an unbelievable spectacle. It is even more impressive when you think how the monument was sculpted. It is truly an awe-inspiring place.
The psalmists encourage us to stop and be inspired by what God has done. They challenge us to look at all of His glorious works. It is God who has the power to stop all of mankind’s wars. He has the power to shatter all the implements of warfare. In their original context, these were comforting words. This psalm was probably written when Sennacherib, the Kind of Assyria, had invaded Israel. Fear and uncertainty surely flooded the hearts of the people. This psalm was a reminder that the power of man is no comparison to the power of God.
Sometimes in the midst of chaos, it does us well to stop and look around for the works of God. It does us good to quit the squirming and the struggling that comes with uncertainty. Sometimes, we need to be still and get in touch with who God is. When my daughter was about eighteen months old, she had to undergo some medical tests. They needed to sedate her in order to administer the tests. She kicked and screamed and cried. She flailed her arms and shook her head from side to side. They simply needed her to be still in order to help her. In a like way, it does us good to quit striving and be reminded who God is. Economic downturns have you shook up? Remember that God holds our hand and meets our needs (Psalms 37:23-26). The political landscape frighten you? Remember that we may vote but God appoints (Isaiah 45:1; Romans 13:1). Worried about the future? Be encouraged by the fact that God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
He will be exalted among the nations. He is with us. He will always be with us. In Him, we can hide. Settle down and look around. See the sunrise? The Lord did that. See the mountains? That’s God’s handiwork. The beauty of the changing leaves? Yep, he did that too. Ever been comforted by the hand of God? He’s not gone anywhere. Has God ever met a need in your life? He’s still there and He still gives. Stop striving. Quit kicking and screaming. Don’t fret. Be still and know that He is God.
Pastor Darrell
