Posted on June 5, 2022 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
THE JOURNEY
Restore My Soul: Be Still And Know
By Shelly Huston
At first glance, you may think of me as a somewhat modern, independent woman. One able to leap tall buildings, possess extraordinary strength and run at 60 miles an hour without breaking a sweat. Indeed I may be able to emulate Jaime Sommers, the Bionic Woman, with my super sonic hearing (like many mom’s before me). But, you’ll find a few minor differences. I, too, was critically injured during a life changing event. I, too, was refitted and rebuilt. Not by a group of scientists, or the government, or by a secret military operation. I’ve been rebuilt, restored and refitted for duty by the very hand of God.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. Even though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
I’ve experienced my mountains being carried into the midst of the sea. If you pause and reflect, I’m confident you have as well. Something that seemed so strong, lasting, powerful even, being swept away. Sometimes destruction is tangible like a hurricane, tornado, or an earthquake which causes ruin. It’s like seeing what you loved, cherished or maybe built was here one moment, then followed by utter desolation the next. Was it a ministry, a marriage, a loss of a business, a mistake, some catastrophic experience, that had the potential to completely desolate your home, your finances, your family. Sometimes it was not just the potential of destruction, sometimes what you loved is actually what was annihilated.
Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with is swelling. Even when everything in your life that could be shaken is shaken, God remains.
I’ve found Him in desolation, I’ve found Him in times of war, when those around me were falling, and I thought I was mortally injured, I’ve found Him when I’ve been in times of great sorrow, and in times of great loss. Finding Him in those times is very humbling, yet vital to healing and restoration.
The best news is He’s in it. He can see you though it. He can see to the other side of it, if you allow Him, He can even carry you through it and out of it.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God. The Holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, shall not be moved. God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
I hope you’re at that place, just at the break of dawn. A place that brings deliverance, from strength to strength, from glory to glory. If you’re not quite there yet, know that it is before you, it is near.
One of my favorite dad quotes, “Even if you’ve got a note due, a baby due and you don’t know what you’re gonna do, look up, cause there’s going to be a let up.” God’s not done, and neither are you.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Even in the midst of chaos as Pastor Brad mentioned today, He is here. Being still is not just difficult for the two children in the backseat, the person who’s had too much caffeine in the long line at Starbucks, or the 3 teens at a slumber party in your living room. Being still, in the middle of chaos is tough. It’s just not an external challenge, the bigger challenge lies in side our very active minds, will and emotions. Maybe like me, you can appear calm, like you have it all together and know exactly what comes next. However on the inside, you’re yelling at the car in front of you, the dog on the side of the road, and the co-worker you drove away from 30 minutes ago. Being still is not just the challenge, could it be that stillness is the reward? What leads you to stillness?
{bible reading plan}
For the next few months we will be exploring the Psalms. For an overview of the Psalms, watch this 9 minute video from our friends at The Bible Project. To learn more about how to read the Psalms, check out this video resource.
Unless the Lord builds the house, they Labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain,
Do you mean all of my greatest accomplishments will be for nothing if the Lord is not in it? Yes. While God isn’t necessarily bringing a ladder and tool belt to our family barn raising. We as his people need him involved, want him involved and actually depend on his involvement in every aspect of what we do. If we do not, if we instead count on our own amazing ways and resources, it’s going to be useless in the long run.
Is there a matter concerting you household or business that you should yield to Him? To lay what you’ve achieved on the altar, so that what He had in mind all along can live?
Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways, To walk in the ways of the Father, yields life, blessing, joy
Good, all the days of your life. Why would we want to operate any differently. To walk outside His wisdom, His kingdom, His ways, leads to emptiness, ruin and want. His ways are higher than our ways. While they are not always easy, they lead to Him.
Many a time they have afflicted me from you youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.
Is there anything that has truly been an enemy in your life? Maybe it was never really a person, or an enemy, maybe it was an attitude? Or maybe a self-perception, a lie you believed, or a principal that had it’s hold on you or your ancestors.
Determine in your body, soul, heart, spirit, it will not prevail against me.
May the blessing of the Lord be upon you.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits. And in His word I do hope.
Each of us have fallen short. If the Lord marked our iniquities, each of us would be marked. But there is forgiveness with you. Is there an area you need to receive new forgiveness in? Is there a spot, a transgression, or an area that needs restoration, renewal and regeneration? Wait upon the Lord, draw near, and allow His abundant redemption.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned cild with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Sometimes, my soul is noisy, like that of a child. Surely I’m not completely alone. However, I can calm it, I can quiet myself inside. I can be content, and hope in the Lord. To know that He’s got this, He can handle this, and He’s concerned with it, so maybe I don’t have to be. Is it time for you to hope in the Lord? To trust in the Lord. To lean on and lean in to Him. What great matter or area do you need to release to Him?
King David is reminding the Lord of His promises. Not just to Him, but to the generation that follows him. God keeps His promises, much better than we do. He is a man of His word! While it may not always appear obvious, He will abide in His word. Are there areas that you need to reestablish your trust in Him? Are there areas/promises you think He’s forgotten? Perhaps its’ time to trust again.
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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