Do you know the Lord well enough to know that He will be exalted?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Be still, and know that I am God;
(Psalms 46:10a (NKJV))

As most of you know, my ministry is built upon this passage. For the most part, I have focused on the first part of Psalm 46:10, for this is where we are called to be still and know God. This focus was to remind us that we can truly learn to be still in His presence, for it is only when we can truly be still and acknowledge Him do we truly understand His love, power and authority. When we are still in His presence is also when we learn to hear from the Lord. It is when we experience the intimacy that our spirit yearns for. It is when we experience the Lord as Abba, Father.

How is your relationship with the Lord? Do you proclaim that He is your Father? Are you able to spend time completely still in His presence?

Are any of us able to completely stop the cares of this world and focus on God? Perhaps if we go beyond the first part of this passage we can begin to see the results, for what is truly happening in this passage is much different than most people realize. This passage was written immediately after a time of extreme panic by the people of Israel. They were surrounded by a vast army that had never been defeated. They were facing certain defeat and perhaps annihilation at the hands of this enemy. The king humbled himself before the Lord, and to make a long story short, the Lord defeated the army over night. Those who were not killed fled for their lives. Through this, we learn another aspect of God. We learn that He is a mighty warrior who will protect those who love Him and call upon His name. We learn that He will do mighty things in the sight of the nations that will glorify Him as He saves those who believe!

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
(Psalm 46:10 (NKJV))

Are you fearful because of the things in this world that are surrounding you at this very moment?

Be still!

Are you so full of panic that you only see the enemy and not the Savior?

Be still!

If we profess a faith in Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, it is time to sit at the feet of the Lord and remember what He has already done and what He promises that He will do. We are not on our own! We must remember that we don’t have to handle things by ourselves. If you are concerned about anything, be still and allow God to handle it. If you stop and let Him manifest His plan, you will see that He will be exalted. Do not be afraid! Be still!

Do you know the Lord well enough to know that He will be exalted?

Copyright 1998 – 2020 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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How well do you know God?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

“Be still, and know that I am God;
(Psalms 46:10a (NIV))

How often can you take the time to sit in silence? If you are like me, the hectic lifestyles that we live do not allow any time like this. Yet, God has made us for these times. He did not make us to live in this hectic pace. He made us to be at peace with Him, with the world, and with ourselves.

How can we receive this peace?

God told us to “Be still, and know that I am God.” He did not tell us to live our lives frantically striving to attain something worldly. He told us to be still.

God is not going to shout to get our attention. God is a gentleman. He will not force Himself on anyone, yet He is there for everyone. You must approach Him! You must then learn to be still in His presence and nurture the relationship that He longs to have with you. You must learn to long for a relationship with God.

How do you approach someone that you wish to get to know? Do you go somewhere where it is really noisy, or do you go somewhere where it is quiet and you can talk. God wishes to talk to us in this manner. He also wishes for us to talk to Him in this manner.

Be still and listen.

Be still and talk.

Be still and know.

How well do you know God?

Copyright 1998 – 2010 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Have you made this decision?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
(Psalms 46:1-11 (NIV))

I read something today that made me stop and think about these words. Something that actually made me stop in my tracks and wait for the tingling sensation to leave my body.

A U.S government report states that massive amounts of oil and natural gas have been found in Israel and off the coast of Israel.

I like prophecy, and one of the things that has always come to mind is how God could have promised that Israel would be a garden. At the time this was written, Israel was very arid. One of the other parts of this is that Israel would be the center of everything in the end days. Irrigation has turned much of Israel into the very garden that was prophesied. Israel is the center of world attention, and now that oil has been discovered, they will be the economic center of everyone’s attention.

This just confirms that what God promises, He will fulfill. He is our fortress. He is our refuge. He is our ever-present help in trouble. We have nothing to fear.

Something else that we may want to take into consideration are the other prophecies that appear to be coming true. Global economic issues that could easily pave the way for a single, one world currency and government. Terrorists and other threats that make the passage about wars and rumors of wars seem all too close and common.

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
(Mark 13:7-8 (NIV))

If God’s plan is unfolding, it sounds like it is an ominous time. Fortunately, we can learn of God’s heart. We can know what He detests and what He calls righteous. We can know how to identify the enemy and how to claim grace and salvation.

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
(Psalm 46:10 (NIV))

We can sit at the feet of God the Father and learn of His heart. We can be embraced by His love and His mercy while we learn how to walk in His ways. We can be given peace in the midst of all the things that are happening.

It takes a decision. It takes a commitment. It takes each of us coming to the simple conclusion that we long to be still and know God in all of His glory.

Have you made this decision?

Copyright 1998 – 2010 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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So let it be

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living^©

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
(2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV))

I had a very interesting conversation recently. It involved a very deep reflection upon my favorite verse and how we don’t always recognize how we can fulfill Psalm 46:10 and “Be still” and know God. It is very interesting how our own egos and desires creep into our quiet time with God. Sometimes, it is difficult to discern whether you are hearing God or you are simply listening to your own desires. Let’s face the truth, unless you are so in tune to what God is saying, your desires will not be God’s voice. Even in the times when your desires are what God is calling you to do, it is not always easy to accept this and move forward in confidence. We are only human, and we feel inferior and uncertain about what we are to do.

All too often we do not see immediate results when we do step forward, and as a result, our human frailties begin to take over and we begin to believe the lies of the enemy. Lies like “God wouldn’t use a sinner like you to do anything for Him.”

When we begin to feel like this, we must remember the “Yes” and the “Amen.” God’s promises are “Yes” if we stand firm in the faith that He has called us, not into our desires but into His. Did you know that “Amen” can be loosely translated to mean so let it be. When we proclaim “Amen” we are accepting God’s desires. Once we accept them, there will probably be a period of maturation and preparation to prepare us for what God has planned. During this preparation and maturation, do not lose focus. Do not take your eyes off of Jesus, for when you do, you will end up like Peter.

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
(Matthew 14:28-31 (NIV))

If God calls you to a task, He will equip you. It is the times when you take your eyes off of Jesus that you begin to sink. It is a matter of focus. Do the one thing that God has called you to do. Even if you feel that He has given you multiple tasks, there is always a single task that is your first calling. Answer this calling as your priority and wait for the other callings to fall into place.

Everything is in God’s timing. Stand firm in the knowledge that if He has called you, then His promises to you are “Yes” and “Amen.”

Copyright 1998 – 2009 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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God’s Family

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living^©

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
(John 8:34-36 (NIV))

This is such a wonderful truth. Those who have sincerely called upon the name of Jesus as their Lord and Savior are now a son or a daughter and are a part of God’s family. This is a family that has bonds that are stronger than any earthly family could ever be.

I realize that some earthly families do not have the strong bonds, and to those who are a part of these types of families, I pray that your situation changes. As for me, I have been blessed with an extended family that is far more than I could ever ask for. For various reasons, it has been over fifteen years since I have been able to return home to Indiana and see my aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends. I just returned from three days driving up with my youngest son who has never even been to Indiana and had never even met any of my family besides my parents.

I pulled into familiar territory late Saturday afternoon and it felt so good to be there. I just started stopping in to see people. I made one stop to surprise a friend who, when we were in the second grade, his aunt married my uncle. He immediately started calling people. I told him that I had to take my son to Bloomington early the next day, but that we would be back around mid-afternoon on Sunday. When we returned, I was greeted by aunts, uncles, friends and their families and a cookout. On the way back from Bloomington, I stopped in to surprise my 86 year old great aunt. Her face lit up like I had never seen it before. I had cousins and aunts and uncles open up their homes for us to stay while we were there.

All of this made me think about the bonds that bring family together. If an earthly family can welcome someone whom they have not seen in fifteen years, how much greater is the grace and mercy that God bestows upon those who call Him Father?

Grace is a wonderful gift. It goes hand in hand with love.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins
(1 Peter 4:8 (NIV))

If my sin of absence can be covered over so easily by my earthly family in Indiana, how much more can our sins against God be covered over by the grace, mercy and love offered to us through the atoning blood of Jesus?

Have you claimed your permanent position in God’s family or do you still think of yourself as unworthy – as a lowly slave? God does not see you like that.

Copyright 1998 – 2009 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org