Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Tag: Be Still

Thanksgiving Series: Wise & Creator God

By

On December 15, 2015

In Christian, Thanksgiving

Psalm 136 can be touted as the “The Psalm of Thanks” or the “Thanksgiving Psalm.” It is a Psalm that is rich in content, apropos the character of God and since each verse in the Psalm is suffixed with “For his mercy endures forever”, it is a Psalm that is easy to read and memorize as well.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, giving thanks for the ultimate reason of sending us his only begotten Son, we will be looking at each verse in Psalm 136 and glean out the character of God from these verses, which would be reason enough to be grateful and give thanks to our LORD God.

Today we look at Verses 5 and 6.
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Not only does this verse establish the fact that, God is wise, but it also asserts that God is a creator God. In fact, only God is wise (Romans 16:27; 1 Timothy 1:17; Jude 1:25), for even our wisdom is foolishness before God (1 Corinthians 3:19). You could take the smartest of the smart in this world, even Solomon the wise, who when pitched against God in wisdom, would turn out to be a fool. Our God is a creator God. Out of nothing, he can create (ex nihilo bara). When the earth was formless and void (nothing), God’s Holy Spirit hovered it and God created everything by his wisdom (Genesis 1) 

Points to ponder:
Out of the barrenness / emptiness / voidness of our life, when the Holy Spirit of God hovers over our dark and tumultuous life, as the waves (circumstances) of life try to engulf us, God can speak fullness of life (abundant life) into us (John 10:10), when we believe and trust in him.  He can stretch forth his hand over those waters and command “Peace” (Mark 4:35-41); a peace that passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7) given to those whose mind is fixed on Jesus trusting him (Isaiah 26:3; Hebrews 12:2)  and assure us to “Be still and know that he is God” (Psalm 46:10)

Psalm 136:5-6 (KJV)
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 

Be Still :: Who are you?

By

On March 1, 2013

In Christian

The Bible teaches us to Be still and know that Who God is (Psalm 46:10), but did you know that the Bible also counsels us to Be still and know, who we are. (Psalm 4:4). We are asked to commune with our own heart and be still. In other words, we need to Be still and introspect.

We need to be still and introspect that we are standing (on our knees) in awe of God for his glory outshines all other things that glitter.
We need to be still and introspect to make sure that we have no unconfessed sin in our lives that displeases God.

Points to ponder:
When we are still, we can ponder in our hearts and introspect as to who we are (in Christ Jesus). Those who have believed in him, can be still and recognize that as the:
– Accepted of God, we can be still and know that we don’t need to be captive to any loneliness that binds us.
– Beloved of God, we can be still and know that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and so we don’t need to conform to the ephemeral things of the world that define short-lived beauty.
– Child of God, we can be still and know that as our Father, God is our provider, our protection, our pillar, our preserver,  and all powerful to meet all of our needs according to his riches in glory.

Do you know who you are? Be still and commune with your own heart; Be still and introspect.

Psalm 4:4 (KJV)
4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.

Be Still :: Who is With You?

By

On February 28, 2013

In Christian

When Jesus was being arrested, one of his disciples, attempted to come to his defense and with his sword, cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus at this time questioned, “Do you not think that I can now pray to God the Father, and He would presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53). The book of Joshua and Revelation affirms that Jesus Christ is the captain of the armies (host) of the Lord (Joshua 5:14; Revelation 19:14).

One of my favorite songs is  Chris Tomlin’s song, “Whom shall I fear? (God of angel armies)” that is based on the above mentioned scripture. God begins to tell us through the Psalmist “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”  (Psalm 46:10) but then continues to affirm his constant presence and protection by telling us “The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge” (Psalm 46:11).

Points to ponder:
To be still is to recognize the fact that God is not only a God of control but one who is with us, along with his host of angel armies. Jesus said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you. I will be with you, even unto the end of the world.” (Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 28:20). The captain of the armies of the Lord is with us and so we have nothing or no one to fear. When Joshua encountered Jesus, the captain of the armies of the Lord, he immediately fell down and worshiped him. What is our response? Are we being still and worshipping the God of angel armies, who is with us, always?

Psalm 46:10-11 (KJV)
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Be Still :: Who is in Control?

By

On February 27, 2013

In Christian

Jackie Chan in the movie, “The Karate Kid” makes a very interesting statement as he teaches his student, Jaden Smith, who plays the character of Dre Parker, that “To be still does not mean doing nothing. When the water is still, one can see one’s own reflection“, he says.

In the Christian life, one of the hardest things to do is to “Be Still”.  To be still doesn’t mean doing nothing. It is anything but being passive as it takes an active and conscious effort to let go and let God be in control. Often, in our desire to be in control, we want quick fixes and attempt to take matters into our own hands, just as the first man, Adam did and sent the world in error pinning.

God tells us through the Psalmist “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”  (Psalm 46:10).

Points to ponder:
To be still is to recognize the fact that God is God and He is in control. Man was not still and came short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Man has to be still to see God exalted in his glory. Are you still before God, recognizing he alone is God? Am I still before God, recognizing His Godship?

Psalm 46:10 (KJV)
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Lessons from the Eagle – move out, wait and roost on high

By

On April 23, 2009

In Bible Animals, Christian

Technically, the eagle is a bird, not an animal, but logically it falls under the animal kingdom and so as a Bible animal, it finds it part here.

The Bible records in Proverbs 30:18-19 that the way of the eagle in the air, is one of three things that is wonderful.

What are some of the lessons we can learn from the Eagle?

Deuteronomy 32:11 likens the LORD to be like an eagle stirring her nest, fluttering over her young, spreading abroad her wings, taking the young and bearing them on her wings.
Studies on the life of an eagle have shown that when the eagle builds its nest, it first layers it with sharp rocks, thorns, broken branches and other items that are not considered comfortable. On top of this hard uncomfortable layer, it builds a padding with soft material such as fur and feathers from animals and birds that it has killed. When the eaglets (young eagles) are ready to fly, the eagle stirs its nest exposing the hard uncomfortable layer, and flutters on top of its young. This make the eaglets want to leave the comfort of their nests and they usually fall. The eagle at this time swoops down spreading its wings and bears the young on her wings back to the nest. Eventually the eaglets learn to fly.

Isaiah 40:31 promises that those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength and mount up with wings as eagles.
Studies have also shown that eagles pluck their old feathers as they age so that new feathers grow in the place of the old. This helps in renewing the eagle’s strength.

Job 39:27 records that the eagle makes its nest (home) on high.
We don’t find eagle nests on tree tops in our neighborhood because the eagle builds its nest on high for safety.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. When things don’t go your way and you feel uncomfortable, carefully observe. It may be the LORD (as and eagle) stirring your comfort zone. But you can be assured that He will flutters His wings, spread them around you and bear you on top His wings, carrying you over your situation, should you fall/fail? What a wonderful God we serve.
  2. Are you feeling weak and heavy laden? Waiting on God will help us renew our strength. God tell us in Psalm 46:10 to Be Still (Wait on Him)
  3. Where is our home? Is it on high? Is it in heaven or are we merely working toward a vanishing home on earth?  The Bible says in Psalm 91 that those who make the Most High their habitation are safe and that no harm shall befall them. Those whose home (habitation) is heaven are safe. Jesus said, store up your treasures in heaven which is eternal (where there is no decay). Where is our treasure? Where is our home?

Deutoronomy 32:11-12
11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.

Psalm 91: 9-10
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén