Be Still

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:7

We all have a raging battle inside. Our attention, our desires, drive us to something. These objects of our desire, drive emotions that pull us, captivate us. We are fooled into the belief that our thinking, our ways, our actions, the way we see the world is right, never stopping to consider if our views may be tainted.

Out of these hearts come bitterness or anger, when the world lets us down. Or, our lives are perpetually empty driven by the desire for money, as things do not quench the hunger. Or, the insatiable desire for power or title, when the position achieved is not what it turns out to be, never satisfy. The internal waters always rage, and our souls, although they long for it, never find peace.

Peter was an emotional man. In his eyes, he knew what was right as he looked at the world from his point of view. During his time with Jesus on the earth, he continually fought his emotions.

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Matthew 16:21-23

Through his deep commitment to the one he loved, he thought he would fight for him. He would not let Jesus die at the hands of the scribes. Throughout his life, his battle was against his emotions.

The rich young ruler had a different battle raging. He couldn’t leave his possessions to follow Jesus.

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:16-31

The young man walked away sorrowful. He could not leave his money, his possessions.

In the parable of the sower, the seed that fell among the thorns points to other battles.

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. Matthew 13:22

The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches are battles that choke out God’s Word.

And, James and John, they wanted power, a title, a position of authority and glory.

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Mark 10:35-27

James and John wanted to be honored, put on a pedestal. They wanted a position higher than the other disciples. Their battle was for power.

Over and over again, the Bible gives warnings, pictures, and stories of internal battles that we all face. A place where the soul never finds rest. The words of scripture reveal blind spots for each of us.

This is a blog written to me. I know that even with my best intentions, when it seems to the world that all is well, a battle is always raging. A constant fight exists between the things of this world, the desires of the flesh, versus a biblical worldview. My worldview is distorted the moment I begin my day. The longer I live, the more I realize the constant fight that I have, the battle that has brought down many good people. So, this isn’t a call to the reader as much as it is a reminder for myself.

The war is fought perpetually, each day. A once-a-week church meeting or small group time will not provide peace. The soul may be still for a few moments, but the war is outside the doors. The battles are daily, perpetual, constantly changing.

There is only one place to completely still the soul. It is truly a treasure. God’s Word. The Bible. When you wade into these waters, peace is found. And, this can only be found when we still our lives so that He can still our soul.

Be still before the Lord.

Impact others. Live generously.

Follow my blog.