December 10, 2023 -- Psalm 46:10-11 -- Be still, quiet your fears, and know Him Who Is God

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 will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
The LORD of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Psalm 46:10-11 ESV

There are financial pressures at Christmas. How will we pay for all the special meals, the clothes, the decorations and presents? There are breathless TV reports on the wars taking place in the world. There are consumer suspicions and endless official probes into price gauging at leading grocery chains and gas companies. The international climate conference in Dubai is focusing turning its focus on how the farming industry is contributing to climate change. Fears. So many fears. Really there is nothing new under the sun.

When Psalm 46 was written there were wars. There were droughts. There were threats. Fears. So many fears. Is God here? Is God with His people when they see all that is taking place. Though prophets persistently spoke the Word of God to the people of God, there were fears. Though priests offered sacrifices pointing to Jesus Christ--yet the people's fears threatened to crush them.

Today is Sunday. Today, fellow believer, we are invited to quiet our hearts. To hush the nagging thoughts of financial pressures and global upheavals. We can invited to set down our pressing concerns about government, climate change, whatever else torments us, and to know this: God is on the Throne. He is in charge. He was in charge. He will always be in charge. All the rumours and reports, the whispers and wonderings, the media and murmurings will one day cease. The radiance of the Father's glory has already been revealed in Jesus Christ. There will be a day when the glory of Jesus Christ will be revealed to all the nations. Today, gather with the people of God for worship. Place your confidence in Him alone.

Notice that the LORD of Hosts is called: “the God of Jacob”. Jacob’s name can be translated he cheats. Why does this matter. When we are still and quiet our souls before the Covenant-Keeping God, that might be the moment we realize we are so unworthy. And fears might rise up and torment us all over again. Be still. Be confident in this. The LORD of Hosts has given Jesus Christ to us—liars and sinners, cheaters and wicked though we are. In Christ we are given the His robes of righteousness. In the quiet of stilling our hearts for worship, the truth of God’s promises penetrate us and remind us of our tremendous standing before God.

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us. You know the tossing and turning and torments of our minds. You, Spirit of Comfort, have been poured out on us by the Father and the Son so that from the very core of who we are on outwards, we can know that this rich and glorious salvation is all gift. Salvation is Your gift for Your people. Triune God, help us to still our hearts and quiet our fears and receive all that You intend for us in Christ. Bring us to public worship so that with God’s people we will bear witness to the fact that You, O God, are our refuge and our strength. From these times of public worship, may we then go out to our family and workplaces, to the coffee shops and schools and speak of the great hope that is ours, anchored in Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://youtu.be/2emelR7lGmw?si=R4EzzgQpi829k3vV Psalm 46 Lord of Hosts

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