This past weekend I attended a young adult retreat where the Pastor spoke on the topic of being still before God.  The theme verse was Psalm 46:10:

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Pastor spoke using KJV which says, “be still” instead of “cease striving.”  Since the NASB doesn’t use “be still,” my mind didn’t go straight to Psalm 46:10 upon hearing the words “be still.”  Instead, my mind went to another account. 

On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”  Mark 4:35-41

As I was praying over the theme the first night of the retreat, the image of Christ calming the wind and the waves seemed to fit perfectly with Psalm 46:10.  If Christ has the power to calm the wind and the waves, He also has the power to control the “wind and the waves” inside of me.  As I thought over these passages I was reminded to stop fighting and worrying, and to know who God is – God is creator and powerful, and He’s in control.  When I trust in who God is, that He is the God who has complete control over every area of life and that He is Love, then I can cease striving and exalt Him in my daily life. 

The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”  Exodus 14:14

Moses speaks these words to Israel after they began grumbling to Moses when they were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army.  God does exactly what Moses said He would; God wiped out Pharaoh’s army by His own power while Israel simply crossed to the other side of the Red Sea.  That is incredible, and a wonderful reminder that it is not by our strength that we are saved.  Whatever we’re going through, we can remember that it is God’s strength we can rely on. 

Here are some encouraging verses to remind us of who God is:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?  Psalm 27:1

I pray you’re encouraged today to remember to rest in who God is and His awesome strength!

With love,

Kelsey