Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
October 17, 2022
Read Psalm 46:1-11
1 God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. 2 That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea, 3 when its waters roar and rage, when the mountains shake because of its surging waves. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams gladden God’s city, the holiest dwelling of the Most High. 5 God is in that city. It will never crumble. God will help it when morning dawns. 6 Nations roar; kingdoms crumble. God utters his voice; the earth melts. 7 The LORD of heavenly forces is with us! The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah 8 Come, see the LORD’s deeds, what devastation he has imposed on the earth 9 bringing wars to an end in every corner of the world, breaking the bow and shattering the spear, burning chariots with fire. 10 “That’s enough! Now know that I am God! I am exalted among all nations; I am exalted throughout the world!” 11 The LORD of heavenly forces is with us! The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah
Good Morning, Be still and know that I am God!
Psalm 46:10 is a special verse for me. Long ago, I recognized that within my being is a great need for quietness. Despite the fact that I’m a musician and love to make great big sounds, and that I am an extrovert and love talking and chatting with others, I am triggered by noises. I have a particularly hard time with repetitive noises like from a beeper or a timer. I don’t know if this has always been a thing, but I know that it has been for most of my adult life. Perhaps it was exacerbated by years of noise.
When I find myself in these situations, I have to focus on other things or I find myself becoming increasingly agitated. Sometimes, I just have to politely walk away and find some quiet space to regain myself. I find the language of the Common English Bible for this passage presents this idea in a very different way. It’s as if David needs to be awakened, not calmed down. 10 “That’s enough! Now know that I am God!
In my years of teaching, I learned that there are two ways to get someone’s attention when they are not paying attention. One way is to get louder than the surrounding noise, and the other is to quietly speak until others have to get quiet in order to hear what you are saying. Me, I prefer the second method. I appreciate when I can bring the group to my expected level of noise by demonstrating a calm, quiet demeanor. Now, this method sometimes requires much patience on the part of the leader, and sometimes we must resort to a quick, initial burst of noise to break through to the one with whom we need to communicate.
We live in such a noisy world. So much of our noise exists 24/7 as the machines hmmm and purr as they keep our manmade environments safe and cozy. When we have power outages, we get a glimpse of absolute silence and absolute darkness. Without clocks, HVACs, icemakers, fans, air purifiers, and all of the other devices that make noise, it is quiet. Tom Hanks narrated an IMAX film, Magnificent Desolation, which showed the stark absolute beauty of the Moon. In the midst of the noise that surrounds me, I sometimes long for such a place.
When I hear God speaking to me, it comes in those moments of quietness. God seems to like sharing with me in the wee hours of the morning. God also speaks to me when I am walking alone in nature without the noise of earbuds playing music in my ears. My favorite time with God is each morning when I sit reading my morning Scripture and listening for God to help me clarify my thoughts. With only the light of my computer screen and the sounds of my fingers tapping on the keys, words flow through me and onto the screen. Maybe God speaks to me at other times, but I am too distracted to hear the still small voice within me.
This is a beautiful song that I have been singing since my teenage years by one of my favorite contemporary Christian songwriters, Chuck Girard. Slow Down - Sissel (2019 Pioneer Concert with The Tabernacle Choir)
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. O God, sometimes we need to be startled so that we can know that you are speaking. Help us to make time for you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today I will make time to be still with God.
Slow Down and Listen! God is speaking! Pastor Liz
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