Update #118

"Cease striving and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 NASB

Outdoor market - Bern, Switzerland

I was reading Psalm 46 while away in Switzerland. The tenth verse is oft quoted and used but little regard is given to the previous nine. “Be still and know that I am God” is the Psalms summation– it becomes easier to follow the command when you understand the context.

God is our refuge and strength, very much found to be a help in distresses. On account of this we will not fear when the earth changes and when mountains are slipping into the heart of the seas. Let its waters foam; let the mountains shake in its swelling.

i.e. Do not fear when your world is shaking, changing, falling apart and you can’t hold onto anything solid…your job is gone, your home is gone, your friends have abandoned you, and your car won’t seem to start. Your family thinks you are nuts, your grandfather has a heart-attack, your grandmother a stroke, some gang of miscreants in California pilfered your bank account and spent all your money, AND the main heater in your house just exploded and, of course, it is the deep freeze of winter.

People are talking, rumors soaring, and slander abounds. You are misunderstood and misquoted. Communication is fruitless – you speak English and they only understand/comprehend a dialect of ancient Asian.

There is a river, its channels gladden the city of God, the holy tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be shaken; God will help her at the turning of the morning.

River = Holy Spirit; Holy Tabernacles = Us. The river of God flows enabling us not to be shaken (good question here, if you are shaken, how deep is the river you are bathing in?). God always shows up – everyday he is available – as soon as we awake.

The nations roared; kingdoms were shaken; He gave forth His voice and the earth melted. Jehovah of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is a refuge for us. Come, behold the works of Jehovah, who sets ruins on the earth, causing wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts apart spears; He burns the chariots in the fire.

We strike and war – he speaks. We build, we fight, we dominate - he takes apart, ceases conflict, brings down power structures. God is in control even though at times it appears we are.

Incase you are still shaken, fearing, and hiding because of your circumstances…

Be still and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth. Jehovah of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is a refuge for us.

Be still and reflect upon who you say you worship. Cease striving and trying to fix things yourself. Be at peace, stop fighting, let go of your concerns, desist, let it be – and allow the God of the universe, the exalted one, the Lord of Hosts, to take care of the situation; because he works all things for our good…all things.

Updates:

Living – I am in escrow! Yes, believe it or not, the immovable is now moving! There are several contingencies we have to wade through but it looks promising to close mid-May (when the plastic comes off the building and the banks will ‘ok’ a loan).

Work – Training is in full swing and we are prepping for our upcoming trips to South Africa and India.

Travel – I booked my tickets to two upcoming weddings…Holly / Glen, Teryn / Tom so excited for you!

Requests:

Living – that the contingencies will be non-obstacles and that I’ll be able to sign papers when I make my next trip to Seattle in early May.

Work – for tickets to South Africa to attend the Global Day of Prayer, that the team will come together, and that the Indians will be able to recruit client for the upcoming venture in Chennai.

Websites – If you would like to RSS my update vs. getting them by email visit my blog site http://www.denaandrews.blogspot.com/. To find out more about rēp visit http://www.repurposing.biz/ for information.