The Abundant Life: Riches money can’t buy…
The abundant life knows how to be still and surrender to God
We are in such a hurry, always going here and there, always doing this and that. But constant activity does not equal productivity or progress. A hamster can constantly run on a wheel but he’s not really getting anywhere, is he? Let’s face it… some of us are never “still” long enough to give God a chance to work in our lives.
God tells us, “Be still and know I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) The Hebrew word here for still is “raphe” which means to be weak, let go, or release. It actually means to surrender our will to God’s.
I think this is the kind of stillness Jesus had when He remained silent as men reviled Him and when He died on the cross. He had the power to bring everyone to their knees. He could have brought fire down from heaven to consume them. Yet, he remained silent, allowing them to say and do their worst. He had surrendered His will to His Father.
This kind of stillness gives God the opportunity to work for us and fight our battles. We don’t need to vindicate ourselves, seek revenge, or plot how to bring others down who do us wrong. We can surrender our will to God’s and let Him provide the answers.
If we read all of Psalm 46, we see that God is our refuge, strength, and our present help in time of trouble. God takes care of and defends His people. So when verse 10 says, “Be still and know that I am God” in a way it is also telling us to stop struggling and surrender ourselves to God who is our refuge and strength. God has it all under control. We need to “let-go” of our worries and “let-God” do His thing!
That’s basically what Moses told the children of Israel to do. “Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” (Exodus 14:13) Then God parted the waters, killed the Egyptians, and delivered them from their enemy.
Those living the abundant life know that it’s difficult to see the salvation of the Lord if we never take the time to be still and look for it.
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“…I have come that they may have life and that they
may have it more abundantly.” ~John 10:10 (KJV)
