"Be Still, and Know That I am God"

I took this picture a few weeks ago here at the ranch on a foggy February morning. The air was still, not even a breeze rustled the tops of the trees. All was quiet. Peaceful is how I would describe it. For me, this picture embodies Psalm 46:10, a favorite of mine. "Be still and know that I am God." The New American Standard Bible says, "Cease striving..." Like a lot of you, I often have to be reminded to "be still." Especially with the busy, complicated lives we lead these days. Peace is hard to come by when the TV is blaring, the computer is humming, cars are racing here, there and everywhere. Something deep inside me craves peace. The kind that only comes from God.

Be still, my friend. Rest in His peace today. Carve out some quiet time in your day to simply be still before the Lord. The outdoors, for me, is the best place to "see" God. His creation calms my spirit. Even the earth, as in the picture above, becomes still before the Lord. But wherever you choose, sit quietly. Listen to the silence. Let Him be your refuge and strength. No matter what is going on in your world, God is there.

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.  Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help here at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.  Selah
8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.  Selah
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This week's Prayer Shout-Out countries are:
USA, Germany, Russia, Belarus, Canada, Malaysia, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Zimbabwe