A Nugget from New Life Network
(partially reprinted from a FB post by Dan Duke)
Scripture for the Day (January 18, 2016)
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)
A dear man of God told me years ago (which aggravated me at the time) “You only feel pressure when you resist!” Relax, and find your place of peace and faith. I’ve been in this “Way” for decades and I still have to contend for every quiet moment in His presence. Whether it’s a crying baby, or a ringing phone, or a distracted mind full of invading thoughts, I have to contend for “The Quiet”. Fasting helps and after a few days or weeks, depending on the level of turmoil, you will quieten down. King David said, “I humbled my soul/mind through fasting“. (Psalm 69:10, Amplified Bible)
The kingdom of heaven is seized by violence (taken by force) (Matthew 11:12). That’s violence against oneself in obtaining the promises (Hebrews 11). You have volunteered for the high calling so you’ve chosen the “good part” that will not be taken away. Once I realized “I asked for this” my perspective of things changed and I found a humor and joy in trials and tribulations knowing I was contending for those exceeding great and precious promises, which, by the way, are only made to those who overcome (Revelation 2 and 3).
Jesus has prepared a table for you, but there is also a table of devils (1 Corinthians 10) so the choice is ours at which table we choose to sit. Decide now to squeeze in a few quiet moments in His presence today. Come to His table, and the “things of the world will become strangely dim”.
Several weeks ago we did a devotional on having ears to hear. We explained in that devotional that the Greek and Hebrew words for “hear” had an implication of “doing” after you had heard. The phrase “being still” before the Lord has an implication to “hear”. God wants to speak to each of us but He will not shout over our noise. You and I have to make time for Him. We have to get the noise out of our life and get quiet enough to hear His voice. The scripture says “be still” and know that He is God. That word “still” in the Hebrew is raphah which means to be idle, cease, or weaken. To me, that means we have to weaken the grip the world has on our attention and give full attention to Him. When we do that, we will hear and we will know that He is God. When you hear from the throne room of God, you will know it.
Are you listening? Can you hear that “still small voice”?
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? (1 Kings 19:11-13)
