Be Still!

In my devotions today which was centered around Psalm 46, I was challenged at the question posed.  Question;  In what circumstances do you feel powerless or helpless?  Think about those times when you wanted to do something---anything---to solve a problem or affect an outcome but cannot.

How many of us have watched as those closest to us have made decisions that we felt were wrong but were unable to change their minds.  Mental illness, to me, seems most frustrating as it robs its victims of almost everything even the ability to reason well but most frustrating is the constant struggle and an inability to help.  Most heartbreaking would be that Prodigal that strikes out for “distant lands” leaving God behind.  HELPLESS!  POWERLESS!  

My husband and I talked about this just a few days ago, “Where does God want us to be at those times?”  How do we deal with things out of our control?  Should we sit back brokenhearted or is there victory over even those things we cannot help or change?  How can there be peace, let alone joy, for us when those we love are hurting?  

You don’t have to go too far into the Psalm to get the gist of this message.  

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

    Have you ever had an “earthquake” size problem hit you only to find you were powerless to do anything about it?  Has heart break roared like an ocean and the waves of hurt threaten to take you out to the sea of despair?  Nothing brings despair like watching the waves and being helpless to do anything about it.  

But as we get into v4, I was glad to read that joy can and should be found in our God even in such times.  We are promised if we dwell with God we cannot be destroyed as God will protect us.  I am encouraged as the scriptures tells us to “Be still and know that I am God”.  In some versions we are told to stop striving.  Stop striving against the quaking ground or the roaring oceans, only God can help us in these times of trouble.  Only God can bring joy in the midst of these storms.  Only God is Powerful in our powerlessness, an ever present help in our helplessness.  Stop striving and find joy again as God promises to dwell with you!  

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