Psalm 46

Relax, God Is with You
by Paul Tautges with thanks.

“Be still, and know that I am God” 

Psalm 46:10, ESV

“Cease striving and know that I am God” 

Psalm 46:10, NAS

The marginal notes in the New American Standard Bible says “Cease striving” means “let it go, relax.” 

How do we let it go? 

How do we relax? 

How do we rest in the Lord?

According to Psalm 46, we rest in the Lord by beholding His works (v.8), by reminding ourselves of who He is for us now the hymn writer’s words are our personal reality, “I am His and He is mine.” 

What does Psalm 46 teach us about resting in the Lord? 

What reasons do we have to relax, to trust Him? 

Go get your Bible and walk through this soul-strengthening Psalm.

1. God is. God has always been; He is now; He always will be. 
    Jesus was, is, and is to come (v. 1)

2.God is our refuge, our hiding place, our security, our protection and 
    our Protector (v. 1).

3. God is our strength, our power to rest (v. 1).

4. God is very present (v. 1).

5. God is very present in times of trouble (v. 1).

6. God is our help, a very present help, and our Helper (v. 1).

7. God is stable, unchanging in an ever-changing world (vv. 2-3).

8. Peace and security are found only in His presence (vv. 4-5).

9. Though the nations roar against Him, 
    God will melt the earth with His voice (v. 6).

10. God is with us (v. 7).

11. God is our stronghold, our fort (v. 7).

12. God is the Judge of all, the King of the earth (vv. 8-9).

13. God will one-day occupy His rightful place 
      as King of the nations (v. 10).

14. God has an innumerable host of angels to discharge 
      at His will (v. 11).

15. God is our stronghold, our fort (v. 11).

A graceful wreath

When I was a little girl,

I always wanted to be in the kitchen,

because it was warm,

and that’s where my mother was. 

--Dolly Parton

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Hear, my son, your father’s instruction
And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;
Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head
And ornaments about your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9

You are always a role model to somebody #5

Let the wise listen

and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance---

Proverbs 1:5

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Gentle and Humble

The Strength of Gentleness 

by Joni Eareckson Tada, 1998

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

Every once in awhile I daydream about my childhood. I remember going on a long hike with my dad and his friends. I don't know how old I was, probably five or six. I scrambled to keep up with the adults, but my little legs could only carry me for so long. I became weary and burdened.

Tired from the long distance, I remember thinking how thankful I was that my dad and his friends were such big, strong adults. They would have no trouble carrying a little tyke like me on their broad shoulders. I breathed a sigh of relief when my dad reached down and slung me on his back. I had no cause for worry. He was strong enough to take my burdens. 

Contrast that image with the Scripture for today. Does something strike you as odd?

Jesus doesn't say, "Look how big and strong I am. Look how powerful and robust. Lean on me." 

Instead, Jesus says, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened...for I am gentle and humble in heart."

God's Word reminds us that humility, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, kindness, and goodness are character qualities that tower heads above being strong, aggressive, or unwavering. 

The humble and gentle people are the ones we find ourselves drawn to when we feel burdened or weary. Somehow we know these are the people who genuinely care, who actually pray, and who, in fact, take our load upon them.
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Are you weary or heavy laden? 

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" 
1 Peter 5:7

Gentle Jesus, please relieve me of my load today. Enable me to hand it over to You rather than trying to stumble on with it. I'm so grateful You care.


taken from More Precious Than Silver, by Joni

Jesus is my balm

There is balm in Gilead,

To make the wounded whole ;

There's power enough in heaven,

To cure a sin-sick soul.

Some times I feel discouraged,

And think my work’s in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit

Revives my soul again.

There is balm in Gilead,

To make the wounded whole ;

There's power enough in heaven,

To cure a sin-sick soul.

If you cannot sing like angels,

If you can’t preach like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus,

And say He died for all.

There is balm in Gilead,

To make the wounded whole ;

There's power enough in heaven,

To cure a sin-sick soul.

Don't ever feel discouraged,

'Cause Jesus is your friend,

And if you lack for knowledge,

He'll never fail to lend.

This is a well-known traditional Black-American spiritual. 

          The "balm in Gilead" is a reference from the Old Testament, 
           but the lyrics of this spiritual refer to 
           the New Testament and salvation through Jesus Christ.


Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29b

You are always a role model to somebody #4

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Hear, my son, your father's instruction
and do not forsake your mother's teaching:
Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head
and ornaments about your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9

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The Real Deal

It is the sweet, 

simple things of life 

which are 

the real ones after all. 

Laura Ingalls Wilder

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