Tag Archives: Comfort

Be Still and Know

Posted on by
Reply

pexels-photo-136317.jpeg

Reading the Word

Psalm 46:6–11 (ESV)

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Understanding and Applying the Word

If you like the old hymns, you likely know Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Luther was inspired by the words of Psalm 46 when he penned the classic hymn that is a favorite of many still today. Like the hymn, Psalm 46 speaks of God’s great authority. He is powerful over nature (vv. 1-3), over those who attack his city (vv. 4-7), and over all who would make war (vv. 8-11).

When we come to verse 10, we come to words that are often quoted, but often misunderstood. It reads, “Be still, and know that I am God.” These words should not be read as words of comfort or encouragement to the downtrodden. These are the words of God to the raging nations. “Be still, and know that I am God!” It reminds us of Jesus’ calming of the storm when he says, “Peace, be still!” and the storms cease. God tells the nations to be still and recognize that he is God.

God is the sovereign authority over all of creation. Many reject that claim and say there is no God or claim another as god, but in the end all will know who the one true God is. And the greatest confidence believers can have today is that this is the God who is with us even now.

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!

Advertisements

My Soul Thirsts for God

Posted on by
Reply

Psalm 421 [widescreen]

Reading the Word

Psalm 42:1–5 (ESV)

1 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Understanding and Applying the Word

How do you feel when God feels far away? In the opening verse of Psalm 42 the psalmist compares his desire for God to that of a deer in need of water during a drought. The psalmist’s soul thirsts for God and waits for a time when he may appear before God. As he waits, his tears flow (v. 3) and others mock and ask him, “Where is your God?”

Life can be difficult and it can seem especially difficult when you feel abandoned. In verse 5 we read a refrain that will repeat itself in verse 11 and again in Psalm 43:5. It is the heart of the message of these two psalms. In these verses, we are reminded that we need not be troubled because we can trust in God. He is faithful and will not abandon us. There are better days ahead. In fact, for God’s children, there are days of never ending joy ahead because he has promised to dwell with us forever in a new creation where there is no pain or sorrow or suffering. Let us rejoice in the hope we have in the God of our salvation.

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!

They Will Fade and Wither

Posted on by
Reply

pexels-photo-136347.jpeg

Reading the Word

Psalm 37:1–6 (ESV)

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! 2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

Understanding and Applying the Word

Does life ever seem unfair? Why is it that those who pay no regard for doing what is right often seem to have great success? Should it not be the righteous who succeed? This observance is the topic of this psalm as David writes to us to tell us how to handle it.

“Fret not” is the advice of David. Do not worry about it and do not be envious of wrongdoers. Why? Because they will come to their end. They will fade like grass. And then they will stand before a holy and righteous God who will judge all.

Instead of fretting and being envious, we should trust in the Lord and do good. We should live in a way that delights God because he is faithful to the righteous and will reward them. We know from the rest of Scripture that God rewards those who turn from their sins and trust in him that he gives eternal life. May we commit our ways to him and wait for him to deliver us to himself.

 

Our Soul Waits for the Lord

Posted on by
Reply

pexels-photo-415299.jpeg

I do not publish devotional content on Sundays, but I do post a suggested reading for the day. This reading will keep us on track to read through the Book of Psalms in 2018. If you have not done so already, please be sure to follow this page so you can read along each day. Thanks for reading!

Reading the Word

Psalm 33:18–22 (ESV)

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

The Lord Is My Light and Salvation

Posted on by
Reply

The lighthouse on a cliff

I do not publish devotional content on Sundays, but I do include the day’s suggested reading. If you have not done so already, please take a moment and follow this page so you can join us in reading through the Book of Psalms in 2018. Thanks for reading!

Reading the Word

Psalm 27:1–6 (ESV)

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Posted on by
Reply

pexels-photo-693776.jpeg

Reading the Word

Psalm 23:1–6 (ESV)

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Understanding and Applying the Word

Psalm 23 is one of the most recognizable passages in all of Scripture. It is beloved by many and is a source of great comfort for all who believe its message. In it, God is pictured as a gentle and caring shepherd who provides for his sheep. The psalmist tells us that God’s provision is such that his sheep “shall not want”. They lack nothing.

God also is pictured as a constant companion, even in the difficult times of life. In the valley of the shadow of death God is there and is a source of comfort. In the presence of enemies who would do harm, God takes care of his people and provides abundantly.

Wherever you may be and whatever you are facing, you can find comfort in knowing that the Good Shepherd is with you and will provide for you. And one day his children will be home and with him forever.

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!