Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Be Still


Elizabeth Abraham
St. Thomas MTC, NY
10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.”

Be still and know that I am God is one of my favorite verses in the Bible and a very relevant verse for us to meditate on especially during these troubling times in our history.  
 
This morning the headlines on the news were: another patient diagnosed with Ebola and the outbreak of this deadly virus, terrorism all around the world and Isis marching towards Bagdad, major earthquake or the big one due to hit California, melting icebergs, Christians and Muslims being persecuted in Middle East, racism still existing in America, the roller coaster rides of the Stock Market.  Disheartened by everything that is happening in this world, I shut the TV off.  There is no news of hope, happiness and joy.  
 
Psalm 46 is warning us, "Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice, the earth melts!" And yet the Lord our God is promising to stay with us; Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble."
 
The Good News is that Our God is mightier than the mightiest mountains and all the nations put together.  He is above the raging seas.  He is our Creator, an Almighty God; the Alpha and Omega.  There is no one like Him!  He is above all!  Our God wants us to take refuge in Him, He wants to calm all our fears, worries and frustrations!  And for this to happen, we need to be in His presence, know and understand who He is!  He is above all catastrophes and disappointments of this world!  The sooner we focus our attention on our Father and His Almighty powers, we will find strength and relief in Him whenever troubles come our way.  The peace He gives us is beyond all comprehension for He is peace!  
 
We are surrounded by all kinds of noises: our constant need for our phones, our lap tops, mindless music, reality TV shows, video games, that we do not have time to spend in quiet retreat with our Heavenly Father.  On this beautiful fall day, let us surround ourselves with the beauty of God's creation, take a walk through the park and watch the leaves turn into an array of beautiful colors.  Spending time with our Maker will cleanse our soul and allow us to Be Still and listen to what He has to say to us!
 
So turn off our cell phones, power down our laptops, shut the TV off, put your head phones and games away...no distractions!  Let's spend some quiet time with God.  He is calling us to be intimate with us.  He wants us to lay all our burdens, worries and fears on Him.  For He knows who we are.  He wants us to know who He is and how much He loves us!


PRAYER


Thank you Father for always being with us even when we leave You and Your presence. We are so unworthy but still You remain faithful: our God and Savior! Amen. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"When the oceans rise and thunders roar,
I will soar with You above the storm;
Father, You are King over the flood,
I will be still, know You are God"
-  lyrics from Still

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