July 9, 2022 -- Psalm 46:10 -- Internet outages and stillness

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Be still and know that I am God.
I wlll be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10 ESV

On Thursday the internet was intermittent and the phone was unreliable. On Friday morning I was able to send one text and a get on FB, briefly….then everything went down. No phone. No texting. No cable. No TV. No internet. Many credit card transactions and interact transactions failed as well. And who carries cash anymore? What a mess.

Earlier in the day I had been leading Bible study in one of the prisons and noted how all our plans are “if the LORD wills”. One small thing can upset everything. As I drove away from that morning Bible Study I had no cell phone reception, no internet connection and I realized again how true it is—all things human and all the strength we think we can count on are completely unreliable.

So, last night, in the wonderful quiet, I wrote letters and at one point, had a time of singing hymns in praise to God. The stillness, forced upon me as it was, became a precious time. I realized how much time I do actually spend listening to things, scrolling through things, checking the news etc. What a reminder—to be still—to turn off all noises and all distractions and cultivate the awareness of the One Who is all-powerful, Who is worthy of praise.

What a reminder the last 24 hours have been, the LORD will be exalted. When Jesus Christ returns all the man-made things will be thrown down and the terrible splendor of the Savior will be fully revealed. The LORD of Hosts will be exalted! Those who have already stilled and quieted their hearts and enthroned Him as King will shout and dance for joy as they fall to their knees in reverent wonder. Everyone who had tried to drown out the evidence of His majestic splendor, will in the presence of His quiet, dreadful majesty fall to their knees in terror and exalt Him!

This recent outage is a perfect conversation starter about the nearness of Jesus and the frailty of man-made systems. I know anything made-made will be undone. Everything God has done will stand and His glory will be revealed. Are you ready?

God, You are our Refuge and Strength;
You are the very present Help of Your people through-out every day, 
Therefore we will not fear in the day of trouble, 
and we will continually bless and praise You in ordinary times.
Though the world around is limping and tottering to its final end
though nations rage at You
we know there will be a day when You utter a word and all things will be swept away.
Jesus will return on the clouds with all His holy ones
and You, Triune God, will be exalted in the earth, 
You will be exalted among the nations!
Teach us the stillness of heart and peace of mind
which increases such holy anticipation and 
emboldens us to speak of Your glories which are, even now,
all around us.
Amen.
 

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