David Richardson

Life is like a roller coaster at times.

We have ups and downs.  Twists and turns.  We even get thrown for loops occasionally.

But the great reality we can hold on to is this:  God is steady.

He does not change.  “He is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” says Hebrews 13:8.  This is what we mean when we say that God is immutable.

Whether you’re soaring high into the sky, or plummeting down to the earth, cry out today to the God who is steady.

He can bring calmness to your emotions and balance to your life.

Let’s revisit Psalm 46:10, which tells us, “Be still and know that I am God.”

I like how The Message phrases this verse:  “Step out of the traffic!  Take a long, loving look at me, your High God”

To me, “be still” means:  [1] Stop your busy activity for the moment.  [2] Quit trying to fix things solely on your own power.  [3] Cease worrying about things you can not control.

To me, “know that I am God” means:  [a] Realign with God’s eternal presence.  [b] Refocus through God’s heavenly perspective.  [c] Reconnect with God’s soothing peace.  [d] Refuel on God’s amazing power.

This verse is saying, “Slow down and reunite with the almighty God, who you need daily.”

In closing, let me share with you what Matthew Henry once wrote about this passage of scripture:  “Let his own people be still; let them be calm and sedate, and tremble no more, but know, to their comfort, that the Lord is God, he is God alone…”

Amen.

I had one of those moments this morning.

Lately, I’ve been swimming in an ocean of projects, meetings, and to-do lists.  To be honest, it’s been incredibly overwhelming.  The reason for this is we’re working a lot behind the scenes here at the church to bring about good changes that will help First Baptist move forward.  The Fall here is going to be BIG!

This morning I walked into my office and had to do several things very quickly.

Then…I just had to be still.

I shut my office door.  Talked with Lord some through prayer about my day and how I’m feeling on the inside.  Spent a few moments reading a Bible passage and devotional thought.  Then I took a deep breath, reopened my office door, and got back to work.

I can’t begin to describe what a difference that made for me.

Maybe you need to be still and take a few moments to pull yourself together like I did.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed to the point where you don’t know where to go or what to do next, I’d encourage you to do so.  You’ll never be what you need to be for others, if you’re not at peace with God and yourself.

Psalm 46:10 tells us, “Be still and know that I am God.”

It’s ok to do it.  Actually, it’s essential for your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual survival.  Be still and reconnect with God.  That will make all the difference on this day, and every day to come.

Years ago, a young man broke off his engagement to a young lady because something else meant much more to him.  He was sold out to Socialism.  That was his main obsession.

Here is the letter he wrote to the young lady:

“There is one thing which I am in dead earnest and that is the Socialist cause.  It is my life, my business, my religion, my hobby, my sweetheart, my wife, my mistress, my bread and my meat.  I work at it in the daytime, I dream of it at night.  Its hold on me grows, not lessens as time goes on.  I shall be in it the rest of my life.

When you think of me, it is necessary to think of Socialism as well because I am inseperably bound to it.  Therefore, I can’t carry on a friendship, a love affair, or even a conversation without relating it to this force which both drives and guides my life.  I evaluate people, books, ideas and notions according to how they affect the Socialist cause and by their attitude toward it.

I’ve already been in jail because of my ideas, and if necessary, I’m willing to go before a firing squad.  A certain percentage of us get killed or imprisoned; even for those who escape these harsher ends, life is no bed of roses.  A genuine radical lives in virtual poverty.  He turns back to the party every penny he makes above what is absolutely necessary to keep him alive.  Radicals don’t have the time or money for many movies or concerts or t-bone steaks or decent homes or new cars.

We’ve been described as fanatics.  We are.  Our lives are dominated by one great over-shadowing factor – the struggle for Socialism.”

Friends, I can’t help but wonder this:  what would things look like if we all were just as sold out to Jesus and His church as this young man was sold out to Socialism?

Revelation 3:15-16   –   ”I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I would that you were cold or hot.  So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”