Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Introduction:
The present world is in turmoil – wild fire, floods all over the world, earhtquakes, famines, wars and rumor of wars, etc. And being a Christian does not exempt us. These things are the noise of this world. We are always bombarded by negative things and thoughts. Then here comes the technology and gadgets – the iPod, iPad, iPhone, cellphone, smartphone, net-tops, tablets, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube – and the sad thing is that all of these just create noise but does not help us to draw near or closer to God. Just try to imagine if the angels from heaven will dwell with us and live with us. Will they emulate our lifestyle?
Most of the things that we possesses are things that hinder our relationship with God because most of those things does not make us quiet. We have all those gadgets connected to our bodies. Remember that the most important thing in our Christian life is our relationship with Him. And this relationship must foster or grow. The grave question today is do we really know God?
I remember when I was about three or four years old Christian, I was in a very deep difficulty almost in the wit’s end. Then as I sat down one afternoon – tears ran down out of control for a long period of time as I utter Jesus is my friend – I know then that I have that friend closer than a brother. I know that afternoon... as I sat down.
Still means – to slacken -abate, cease, consume, draw, fail, be faint, be feeble, forsake, idle, leave, let alone, slack, stay, be still, be slothful, be weak
Know is used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment,--acknowledge, acquaintance, advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, etc.
Just started in recent months when I used “Father” when I pray to God. Before I used the word Lord or God when I talk to God but now I used Father. Our relationship to our God must grow.
In a book entitled in Pursuit of Silence the author said “People are accustomed to noise. Jackhammers, car alarms, ringtone, earphone, television, etc…. But silence focuses us, brings us closer to people around us, improves our health, and is a key to lasting peace and contentment. In deaf communities attentiveness is heightened in almost every aspect of life. If two deaf people are walking together, using sign language, they constantly watched out for each other holding the other in their gaze. They are connected yet keenly aware of their surroundings.
In a book entitled in Pursuit of Silence the author said “People are accustomed to noise. Jackhammers, car alarms, ringtone, earphone, television, etc…. But silence focuses us, brings us closer to people around us, improves our health, and is a key to lasting peace and contentment. In deaf communities attentiveness is heightened in almost every aspect of life. If two deaf people are walking together, using sign language, they constantly watched out for each other holding the other in their gaze. They are connected yet keenly aware of their surroundings.
I. Our DUTY
To be still – don’t complain, don’t murmur but learn to wait upon God. Our duty is to Sit down and wait in patience. God hated the Israelite because of their too much murmurings and complains.
The murmuring of the children of Israel cost them very dear. Be still, that is, beware of murmuring against me, saith the Lord. God gives not an account of his matters to any; because there may be many things ye cannot see through. We must be still as to actions and outward behavior, so as not to oppose God in his dispensations; and as to the inward frame of our hearts, cultivating a calm and quiet submission of soul to the sovereign pleasure of God, whatever it may be.
We always cry, murmur or complain about our situation, that we are always tested – that the devil try us – that sister So and Brother So is unfair that we are always the victim of circumstances. And because of that we missed the most important lesson God wants to teach in our life – we missed many opportunity of learning.
Our duty is to listen before God – wait on His instruction. Our Lord wants to instruct us how to be happy, productive and fruitful, and how to live victoriously. But our problem is we don’t have time to listen. We go with the noise this world is making. We lost our focus because of those noise that already attached in our body.
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
We may observe the ground of this duty, namely, the divinity of God. His being God is a sufficient reason why we should be still before him, in no wise murmuring, or objecting, or opposing, but calmly and humbly submitting to him. Many great ideas were developed in silence.
To know - that I am God. It speaks about past, present and future:
1. In that he is God, he is an absolutely and infinitely perfect being.
2. As he is God, he is so great, that he is infinitely above all comprehension.
3. As he is God, all things are his own.
4. In that he is God, he is worthy to be sovereign over all things.
5. In that he is God, he will be sovereign, and will act as such
6. In that he is God, he is able to avenge himself on those who oppose his sovereignty.-
To hear that still small voice – the voice of God the Holy Spirit that is in us. The Holy Spirit that is in us a still small voice that we can’t hear if we don’t listen to Him in stillness.
To know that we are protected - Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
Our priviledge as we listen to Him aw we wait upon God is that we will know Him better.
I personally experienced to call Jesus as my friend during those unexplainable events of my life – I know dearly that He is my Father as I wait upon Him as I developed my relationship with God. Those are our privilege to know God.
III. Our FOCUS
Our main goal and our objective is that God must be exalted and glorified – I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth
God wants first to listen to Him and develop our relationship with because He wants to use you to exalt his Holy name.
Matt. 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
God is glorified as we walk circumspectly – which is a result of maintaining our duty and getting the privileges.
Conclusion:
Out RESPONSIBILITY/DUTY is be Still
Our PRIVILEDGE is to know God
Our FOCUS/GOAL is that God may be Exalted
Out RESPONSIBILITY/DUTY is be Still
Our PRIVILEDGE is to know God
Our FOCUS/GOAL is that God may be Exalted
Rey Sandoval Dalde
Ark Bible Way Baptist Mission
reydalde@gmail.com
