If you are observant, you would probably find that when there were significant life changing events in your life, God-incidences may likely have accompanied them. It was God’s perfect timing and means of communicating with you, and of reassuring you that everything would be okay; perhaps in just a whisper, a subtle wink from God that witnessed to your spirit. So then, when you opened your Bible, and a verse just jumped off the page at you that spoke directly to your situation, that was not just a coincidence.
Excerpt from My Journal, July 6, 2016
Today, I randomly opened to a page in my daily devotional that spoke pointedly to me in my despair. God had reserved it for me when I most needed to hear it — “Be still and know that I am God”.
Sometimes I have difficulty sharing my personal feelings, concerns and fears, although I know that I am human and life has a way of getting us down. This is one of those times. But I share this with the hope that you will be encouraged by it when you are challenged.
A recent life event, and without getting too detailed, had brought me to a low point in my life. Oh, sure, I am supposed to be strong and courageous, but right now, I am tempted to despair and succumb to my deepest worries and afflictions.
“O God, it still hurts”. Some days I am fine, other days I am sad. This was one of those sad days when I just didn’t want to get out of bed. Life just doesn’t prepare you for ……
It was now 7:45 a.m., and I had been lying awake since 6:15 a.m. I had no energy to start the day. “Oh well, I better get up and make some coffee. Maybe that will help”.
After making my coffee, I sat down to read and pray. Today’s daily devotion from Streams in the Desert, May 10th, was timely and deeply personal. After reading it, I thought to myself, God should have personalized this one to me by prefacing it with “Dear Bill”.
“Oh, how great the temptation is to despair at times! Our soul becomes depressed and disheartened, and our faith staggers under the severe trials and testing that come into our lives, especially during times of bereavement and suffering. We may come to the place where we say, ‘I cannot bear this any longer. I am close to despair under these circumstances God has allowed. He tells me not to despair, but what am I supposed to do when I am at this point?’
What have you done in the past when you felt weak physically? You could not do anything. You ceased from doing. In your weakness, you leaned on the shoulder of a strong loved one …
Once you have come close to the point of despair, God’s message is not, ‘Be strong and courageous’ (Joshua 1:6), for he knows that your strength and courage have run away. Instead, he says sweetly, ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10) …..
That is all God asks of you as his dear child. When you become weak through the fierce fires of afflictions, do not try to be strong. Just be still, and know that [he is] God. And know that he will sustain you and bring you through the fire.
God reserves his best medicine for our times of deepest despair.”[1]
“Be still and know that [He is] God” is sometimes all that I (we) can do to trust Him when we are suffering and weak. Then I rest in His arms and I am reminded that weeping is only for a short time, that rejoicing will come again.
FOOTNOTE
[1] Reimann, Jim; Cowman, L.B.E., Streams in the Desert: 366 Daily Devotional Readings, May 10
[2] Photograph, “Dory” by Charles Steinhacker
Copyright 2016 by Bill Hutzel
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Bill,
Thanks for sharing. I can identify. Being still & “dialing down” is difficult for me because I have a busy mind. Entering into worship clears the debris & singing songs of praise releases the atmosphere of heaven for me. Those verses & your message encourage me. Thank you!
May God release His favor on your life
Cate B.
Thank you so much, Cate. I am also encouraged by your comments.
~Bill