Still Waters

He leads me beside still waters. Psalm 23:2

The Lord said to the storm, "Peace, be still." Then silence. This same Lord that quieted the storm in the boat with his disciples is my shepherd. He has control over the elements and all other things. There are many places he could lead me and does lead me. But, often it is to a place of rest. He provided the Sabbath for us because we are an anxious people. Peace be still he says to me. Be still and know that I am God. What can man do to me? Whom shall I fear? God is the giver of my peace.

Fix Your Eyes On Jesus

I was in Hawaii over the last two weeks for a time of celebration with my wife of twenty years. In spite of the surroundings and company, I had a three day period of deep despair for reasons that weren't completely clear in my mind. I felt as if God had left me...as if he had hidden himself from me. I looked and called to him but just felt alone. I remember sitting on the couch on the verge of tears thinking-- where are you? What has caused this? My wife, being extremely wise, knows to just leave my alone to think if I am in a funk. And so, in spite of the beach and sunshine, I sat pondering things in sadness. Fortunately, God lifted me out of the miry clay, and I am experiencing him again. After the fact, I think a number of things may have been contributing to my situation. I had been over the two weeks prior to my episode wallowing in discontent over difficulties in personal family relationships. I have been praying for the situation for a long time without much change and I became frustrated. I also had spent too much time meditating on theological questions about God that are unanswerable (Arminianism, Calvinism) instead of spending time listening and worshiping. Finally, I was struggling with feelings of guilt and sadness with my failures as a christian.

So, what did I learn from this experience? The most important thing in my relationship with God is spending time with him listening and worshiping...not necessarily knowing more theology. Discontentment in life is discontentment with God and is a manifestation of me taking my eye off of him. Guilt is a manifestation of unbelief except in cases of ongoing purposeful sin. Believe what God says! He says he will never leave or forsake me. He says my sins are payed for, and I am righteous in his sight.

Restlessness

Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.



-Augustine, Confessions

Rest

Plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea; be lost in His immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated.



C. H. Spurgeon

Martha

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42.

Mary sat at Jesus feet and listened to his words, soaking them in, drawn to God. She longed to spend time with her Lord at the expense of everything else. There was a bustle of activity around her as Martha worked at the things of life that needed to be done. Frustrated with the task at hand, she reached out to the Lord in an attempt to bring Mary back to the world, to help with the daily grind of things not necessarily bad. Jesus responded softly rebuking Martha with the above words pointing her to the one thing of importance--time with him. Let all things fall to the side in the sight of the great and glorious Jesus, King of kings and friend of sinners. Paul says we should blot out all else in serving our king (2 Timothy 2:3-5), but we also need to rest at his feet, reallizing his control over all things--his sovereignty over provision for our needs, our reputations, our concerns, our lives. O to rest at the feet of Jesus, secure in his love for us (Rom 8:35), to choOse, as Mary did, the better thing.