BE STILL OR BE BUSY AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

DEVOTIONAL READING
Psalm 23, Verses 1-6 - [A Psalm of David.] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Peloubet's Bible Dictionary, "Wilderness of the Wandering" - The region in which the Israelites spent nearly 38 years of their existence after they had left Egypt, and spent a year before Mount Sinai. They went as far as Kadesh, on the southernmost border of Palestine, from which place spies were sent up into the promised land. These returned with such a report of the inhabitants and their walled cities that the people were discouraged, and began to murmur and rebel. For their sin they were compelled to remain 38 years longer in the wilderness, because it showed that they were not yet prepared and trained to conquer and to hold their promised possessions.

1 Thessalonians 5, Verses 16-18 - Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

​Psalm 46, Verse 10 - Be still, and know that I am God.

Quotation by the author, "I go on long and treacherous journeys on angels' wings."

Psalm 107, Verse 17 - 22 - Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. 18 They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. 19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. 21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. 22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
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DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE
I was reminded of an important lesson today - be still or busy and know that I am God. I am very familiar with getting busy and worrying about my diet, someone else's behavior, the bills, or an intense project, and having my thoughts get focused on certain problems; I get self-absorbed. I get wrapped up in Life without remembering the Author of all Life. I choose to be distracted because doing what is right is harder than just knowing what is right, and I've turned my face away from God. I act like I do not know things, avoid and forget what I need to remember, and chose excuses over right action. I may turn down the level of my prayer life to near nil. I forget of His being there, and it means I am absent in His plan for me. This absence can happen for a short-time or a long-time, for as long as months. I can be worked up into a tizzy or face a spiritual depression. I know well that the dark night of the soul is a lonely walk without God. In some ways it's a mystery - the darkness, who often calls us to a stillness that allows us to see God and become present in life again or for the first time. God calls out to us throughout our life. We should respond by following or returning to Him.  

God is always listening to us; we cannot hide from God. His listening ear, His judgment and His love - we are exposed to them even when we are deaf to Him, defending our mistakes, or hating others. God wants us to acknowledge Him, to glorify Him and to seek His will. That means to think of God in our decision making and prioritizing. It means to talk to God and to receive His word.

I am often impatient when life gets busy, and time wears on me instead of boosting me forward. In those moments I often forget to talk to the Author of time, who intervenes in the timing of things. From the rising and downfall of kingdoms to the end of each man or woman's life, God is present. The Intervenor sends His angels as armies on our behalf, and we must react - we must flinch - we must acknowledge. For He is great! It is better to take your life journey while riding on angels' wings than the alternative plan. For be still or busy and know that I am God - acknowledge and glorify God with your focus and action. Chose, know and remember with right-purpose on the forefront of your mind. Take comfort that there is an Author of Life - acknowledging this takes the weariness and anxiety out of life; it helps boost us forward in busy times.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER
​Dear God, Stay with me always. Forgive me for the times I have been absent from my spiritual walk with You. Be with me whether I am busy or still, as you were with me at my beginning and will be at my departing. Also, keep me close when darkness surrounds me, as my heart needs guarded. Shine Your light upon me. Your timing is not my timing, but Your plan is much greater than mine - I can look into the past and see that. I pray I remember that often and enough.  Your daughter in Christ, the Redeemer. Amen.