Wow, the distractions that come. I’m so distracted right now. Ebola, work, selling stuff, new job, house projects, packing,…oh, that’s right, family, children, wife.
I have been consumed with Facebook lately. I am realizing that this has been a great distraction from that which is truly important! We read in Luke 12:22 that we are not to be distracted by the cares of this world. If we love the things of this world, the love of the Father isn’t in us. (1 John 2:15)
But the confusion comes to “the love of this world.” Really…do I love this world more than Him? I do spend a few hours (off and on) throughout my day with my face in Facebook. I am on a computer all day—as I do computer and server/networking repair—so it’s easy to stay on it. The news is another big one. I feel the need to stay up with the times; be as wise as a serpent but as gentle as a dove. Oh, the balance of life! But do I really love it more than Him?
When do we stop? I’m not talking about the Nafziger’s—I’m talking about believers in Christ. When do we sit still…and know…that He is God? I find I don’t have time. WHAT?! Don’t have time for my Maker!? Sadly, it’s such an easy thing to say. This is why we must sacrifice our lives, crucify them for Him!
Well, I’m making time! Facebook is going to have to be set on the back burner. The news is going to have to be told without me. The world is going to have to end around me taking time to be with my Lord, to worship Him, and to listen to His voice. I see myself in this “fog-of-war” mentality—the world might be falling apart all around me, but my mind is quieted, my ear is listening, and my focus is not here…it’s there, on Him.
“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
“Be still.” NASB says to “Cease.” When I look into my concordance, I like this word used as a definition: to sink down. Ah…sink back, relax, stop thinking and clear your mind of the noise.
“And know.” To perceive, to know by experience, to recognize, admit. I want to KNOW my God by perceiving and knowing Him from experience! I can’t experience Him without…uh…experiencing Him!
“That I am God”. I love the concordance definition that says “the (true) God”.
Let’s look at this again: “Cease, know by your experience with God, that He is the true God.” – TNT (Tim Nafziger’s Translation)
I want to know my God, in such a way, that I know from experiencing Him, that He is the true God. I mean, I know this already from the Word, but to know something from experiencing it only solidifies the truth.
This verse ends by saying, “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” This is the Lord speaking to us. He WILL be exalted in the nations. He WILL be exalted in the earth. This isn’t optional—our God, which we know from our experience with Him, WILL be exalted throughout the earth, in all nations! This is a fact that we can stand on. If this is truth, why don’t we take time to rest, rest in Him, stop and spend time with our God?
You know, even more, as I reread this entire chapter, it’s amazing to see how our worlds might be turned upside down, wars and rumors of war, Christians being killed, sickness and famine…yet, through it all, HE IS GOD!
I believe that we are living in the end times, yet, only time will truly tell. Our world seems to be in such turmoil so, take a moment, through the craziness of your day, sit back, take a deep breath (yes, even now as you read), stop to read this entire chapter. It flows from worship of our Lord, seeing the craziness of our world, and how He will come and reign again.
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots 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 of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Psalm 46 (ESV)