He Reigns: Thought #5

There are a thousand things I feel like I want to say right now but in truth I also feel a stronger compulsion to keep to one very simple thought.  In the whirlwind of activity that this week has brought I find my heart settling on one scripture:

Psalm 46:10-11, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  ¹¹ The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

My simple exhortation today is this:

Be Still

All too frequently we become so inundated with "life" that we often forget to be inundated by God.  Sometimes the most effective tool for drawing near to the presence of God is to simply be still.  I encourage you to stop today, more than once, and simply be still.  Take time to know, I mean really let it sink in, who God is.  Psalm 46 reminds us that nothing is higher or of more importance than God.  Therefore be still and know He is God.  The Lord is God of this city, this community, that we're trying to reach with the gospel.  Therefore be still and know that He is God.  

When I say be still I don't mean to bow your head and silently pray.  I literally mean be still and do nothing.  Simply listen.  We've been trained to fear silence, particularly in church settings.  But why?  Psalm 46 is a command from God.  If it comes from God there is nothing to fear in doing it.  Sometimes the only way we can hear or know that God is near is when we simply shut up.  Never underestimate the value of silence.  It's a drastically underused thing in the church. 

The clock is quickly winding down.  He Reigns is nearly here.  What is it that should make us eager for the day to arrive?  Is it the hope of a crowd?  No.  Is it the hope of really great music?  No.  Is the hope of good food and good company?  No.  It is the hope that we have in the glory of God that should make us eager for Saturday to arrive.  Even more, it is this same hope that should fill each of our days with the purpose of God...not the purpose of us. 

Have you been expectant for God this week?  Have you spent time savoring God in worship?  Have you been vigilant about walking in the ways of righteousness?  Have you felt a churning deep inside you to cultivate hearts with God's gospel?  Will you take time today, tomorrow and for many days not yet seen to be still and know that God is God?  And finally, will you be present Saturday?  We hope that you will.  We hope that you see the value of what we're trying to accomplish for the sake of God's kingdom.  Make no mistake about it folks, this has nothing to do with Oasis...this has everything to do with choosing to serve God and make God the center of everyone's focus on Saturday.  It is for this reason and this reason alone that God has drawn us together as a church family...that is...to make everything about Him...to give Him all the praise and glory and honor and take the gospel into the streets and let it be know that Christ is Lord.  What better way is there to spend any day?      

There is only one more thing I desire to share with you this week.  But that, my friends, is best kept for another time.  I'll write to you tomorrow.  I love you church. 

Comments

[Chris]

Bro, these thoughts read like the makings of a nice 5-part sermon series on Worship.

[Des]

Chad, I just want to say amen... The best way to hear from God and to feel His presence many times is to just "be still." God does not scream at us... He patiently waits for us, to quiet down, and allow Him to speak to us in that still small voice. Hmm... "Whisper To Me." Maybe I should write a song... lol...

[Chris]

Great song Des. Can't wait to get the new version of it out into the public. By the way, my sermon for this Sunday is titled simply, "Amen."