Thursday, May 20, 2010

Passive?

Over the past few weeks God has been showing me some words in scripture that I always thought to be passive verbs are not at all. The first word He showed me was wait “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Wait in this scripture isn’t passive at all. The Hebrew meaning of wait was to rely, trust. Both rely and trust takes an active choice from us.

During a (not the norm) service at church last night, God once again began to show me a scripture that I thought to be passive on my part was not at all. As we sat quietly in the sweet presence of God, the psalmist’s word came to me. “Be still and know that I am God.” Okay God we are still and I certainly know you are God were the thoughts running through mind as the scripture was repeated in my mind time and again. Even as I drove home, the scripture was still right there. Okay God what is it you are telling me about this scripture?

Bible tools at hand, I began looking for what God was saying. Here is what I found out. The word translated “be still” comes from the Hebrew term raphah. This Hebrew word means to “let go” or “release.” One commentary said “it would best be understood to say cause yourself to let go. In other words, we need to come to a place where we are willing to submit ourselves to God and acknowledging that He is in sovereign control.”

Do you see the action God is requiring of us? He not saying when you sit still (like the water in this picture I have posted) you will know I am God. He is saying on the stormy waters when you let go of your reasoning, stop trying to fix it in your strength and know that I alone am God then I will be exalted. Perhaps He is saying “let go, I’ve got this one.”

"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Psalms 46:10 NAS




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Picture above of a lake in Texas was taken by my son, Jospeh

6 comments:

  1. I know that God is working on me & turning me into a person who can turn things over to Him & "let go". I am a work in progress.........JoAnn

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  2. Be still and know. I love this thought and I want to breathe it in deeper on days like today when the battle around me rages. I feel God's peace and I continue to praise, but it's no surprise those I love are under fire. Thank you for all your sweet words lately. I love seeing, "Daughter of the KING(king in capitals)when you make a comment. Always a beautiful reminder of who you are and who I am too.

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  3. the words are so true when things go smooth we rely on him but when things shake up when know he is there for he is all that we can rely on

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  4. I love the translation that says "cease striving". Too often I try to fix things myself instead of relying on Him.

    Such comfort in these words.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  5. Wonderful post! I learned so much, and for that I say, THANK YOU on this THANKFUL THURSDAY. God bless you.

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May the Lord bless you,
Linda J