OH HUSH!

Be still, and know that I am

God; I will be exalted among

the nations, I will be exalted

in the earth.

Psalm 46:10

The verse I have chosen for this blog has so often been a mystery to me. It can be a discouraging verse for those of us who really want to know God. We know a lot ABOUT God but He desires that we really know Him in more of a personal and intimate way, but being still to accomplish this is hard to accept.

We probably grew up being told to shut up (by the way, two very good words for the cause, nothing demeaning), be quiet, or to just be still. When very young, when I got antsy in school or church, being still was often an impossibility for me. Thus, I ended up being still and not concentrating on what was going on around me that was important.

I have rationalized the BE STILL in that verse and can't even begin when there could ever be perfect silence in my life no matter where I happen to be located. At home alone, I may hear dog-walker's pets barking, the furnace may kick in with it's low rumble, cars passing, phones ringing...all everyday sounds that ask no permission to make their sounds heard . I'm sure there would be places one could go where there would be absolute silence but not sure how long any of us could maintain our sanity if we found such a place.

Much to my relief, I found that the translation in the old transcripts didn't have so much to do with sound or noise as it did and still does have to do with the yielding of our spirits to God..surrender. Quietness isn't just being quiet in sound but quiet in spirit.

You and I will rarely if ever be able to totally get away from all noise or sounds. However, wherever we are, we can have a humble spirit of submission to God. The verse speaks of where God will be exalted. We are there. God desires that we know Him but that we exalt Him above anything or anyone else. Exalting Him means our lifting Him in personal adoration as high as we can raise Him above anything going on or above any person we can name. May it be so.

We do adore You Father even though we fall short so many times. Help us to give in to You with all our lives that we may know You like we never have before. In Jesus' precious and exalted name....Amen