Be Still!

Psalm 46:10 : "Be still and know that I am God."

"If we keep praying, our relationship with God will grow and deepen into a rich union of hearts, allowing us to be still and know that He is God. We begin our life of prayer with words, our own and the words of others; in particular, the Word of God. When choosing material to pray with, it is important to choose carefully...sacred scripture, the inspired word of God, is always the best source for texts for prayer. If we allow the words of Scripture to soak into our hearts and minds, we will be able to say with the prophet Jeremiah, 'When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart' (Jeremiah 15:16)" (Spirit of Caramel Fall 2009, pg 15).

I love that - be still and know that I am God. He does not say, "Busy your minds with prayers and petitions for me." While there is a time and a place for petitions and thanksgiving, our relationship with God is deepened when we listen because it is just that - a relationship. It goes two ways. It requires our listening to the Lord and responding to Him as God.

And this should be done ALWAYS. Constant mental prayer. That is what we strive for! That is what Paul preached to the Thessalonians ("Pray without ceasing..."), and it is the essence of a fruitful, rich relationship with Christ.

Psalm 1:

"(1)Happy those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked,
Nor go the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers.

(2)Rather, the law of the Lord is their joy;
God's law they study day and night.

(3)They are like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season;
Its leaves never wither; whatever they do prospers."

I broke it up by verse on purpose. First, "Happy those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked." Sorry, but who you hang out with DOES matter. A lot. Are they leading you towards Christ and encouraging a life of prayer?

The second verse is critically important, saying, "The law of the Lord is their joy; God's law they study day and night." Day and night! Constantly! Another version uses the word "delight" instead of "joy." We should delight in the law, which is the Word of God (also Christ - John 1); it is our source of joy. What do we delight in?

The third verse is probably the most unbelievable: "They are like a tree planted near streams of water...whatever they do prospers." Whatever they do? Well, yeah if their entire life is founded on Scripture and if every prayer comes straight from the Word of God! To be like a tree planted near streams of water sounds wonderful to me. Never thirsty, never dry, never in want of anything...Scripture often uses water symbolism when referring to the Holy Spirit, and I can't help but recognize that here as well. Judge a tree by its fruits, right? Well if the tree is one founded on the Word of God, constantly being fed by the Spirit, will fruits not be born? If you are constantly praying in the Spirit, who is God, will not whatever you do prosper? It says so in Psalm 1. And the Word is Truth.

Study it. Delight in it. Pray it. Claim it.