Journal Gems

1. Be Still
Radio and TV stations are filled with so many voices that clamor for our attention. Riots, terrorism, sex trafficking, drug trade, political intrigue, snarky behavior, betrayal, obstruction of truth, violence, and injustice threaten to overwhelm our nation and the world. Satan's gripping tentacles of moral decay seem to have made inroads everywhere—in the church, the government, the family, in our children caught in sexual confusion, in elementary and high schools, our halls of ivy, movies, video games, and music. And I am filled with righteous indignation.

I think of the biblical account of Lot who lived in the plains of Sodom and Gomorrah and what his life must have been like. 2 Peter 2:7-8 tells us that God ". . .delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds . . .)"

Sometimes one tends to feel quite helpless and overwhelmed by the threat of such a world; the voices of fear and negativity are everywhere, and one's soul can all too easily undergo a negative osmosis.

When I sat down with my journal this morning, I sensed the Lord speak to my heart: "Be still and know that I am God." I said, "Holy Spirit, talk to me about that." The following poem came to mind:

Be still and know that I am God.

Do not worry, do not fret.
Those things you imagine
Have not happened yet.
Why borrow trouble? Why feel dismayed?
Fix your thoughts on good things --
I will come to your aid.
Be still and know that I am God.

Don't run here, don't run there,
Fighting just to beat the air.
Take your stand, as I have said.
You wear a crown upon your head.
Watch Me work. Look at Me;
It will change how you see.

Scripture meditation:

• I Peter 5:7: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
• Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
• Read all of Psalm 37:1-11. God says, “Do not fret because of evildoers. . . Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. . . Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass . . . Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way. . . The meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”