The Need For Stillness

 

Deuteronomy 26:15a (GNT) - Look down from your holy place in heaven and bless your people Israel;

In this chapter, the people are instructed about harvest offerings.

If the offerings are acceptable, the people can be assured of God’s blessings.

But these offerings must involve a relationship.

It is not enough to simply go through the motions.

In Luke 2, we read of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem.

He was a man who loved the Lord and was awaiting the Deliverer.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, he was assured that he would not die until he beheld the Deliverer.

The Spirit led him to the Temple just as Jesus was brought in.

Simeon took the child into his arms and gave thanks to God.

Luke 2:30-32 (GNT) - With my own eyes I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people Israel.”

Simeon was truly blessed.

He was blessed because he recognized the child Jesus as the Deliverer.

But he was also blessed in his love for the Lord and his relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Where the Spirit led, Simeon obediently followed.

His obedience was rewarded.

One of the things I frequently discuss with my students is how easily distracted we have become.

We feel we must always be doing something, watching something, or even listening to something.

As a result, we become easily disconnected from each other.

The pandemic has also encouraged this.

But just as we easily lose our connection with each other, we also disconnect from God.

We need to heed the advice of Scripture and take time to “be still.”

For it is during the quiet moment, free from distraction, that we connect with God.

Psalm 46:10 (NLT) - “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

We must take the time to “be still.”

We must set aside the distractions.

Then, the Lord will open our eyes and ears.

We will then recognize that He is with us and all around us.

He is within everyone and everything.

That is when we experience Him anew.

We can then experience this relationship regularly.

We can raise our voices and praise Him sincerely.

Most importantly, we will not just be going through the motions.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 21, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, October 28, 2022