Weekend Words

 From Beside the Still Waters...

In Quietness and Confidence - Read: 1 Kings 19

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

The early fall morning was perfectly quiet with not even a whisper of a breeze.  I sat on the front porch of a cabin deep in the forest and meditated on a question from a Sunday school class many years ago: "Why did God make me?"  The answer: "To know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this life and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven."  Not theologically profound, yet accurate and beautiful in its simplicity.

How can I remember something I learned at age five when I frequently forget where I left my car keys fifteen minutes ago?  The overwhelming distractions of noise, hurry-up pressures, and endless busyness often drown out the quiet time we urgently need to meditate on questions like this.  Today's key verse says, "Be still," because when we are alone in silent places, our minds tend to focus on spiritual truths.  But the natural man is frightened by such musing, and he tries to drown out these thoughts with busyness, amusements, and raucous music.

"Peace, be still" (Mark 4:39).  The words that calmed the wind and waves are also intended for mankind, because the Lord is well able to calm our greatest fears and smooth our roughest waters.  God's message to Elijah on Mount Horeb was not in the great wind, the earthquake, nor the fire, but in a "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12) - the same way He speaks to our hearts today.  The barn loft, the bedside, the church bench, or any quiet place is just as good as a remote forest cabin if we really want to hear.  Every day let us listen in quietness and confidence for Him to speak His perfect will through His Spirit, His Word, or a faithful brother or sister.

 Pete Lewis - Halsey, OR

"In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." - Isaiah 30:15

From Be Still and Know...

"Jesus himself drew near, and went with them" - (Luke 24:15)

Cleopas and an unnamed companion were on their way home to Emmaus.  As they trudged along, their hearts were sad.  In the past few days, Jesus had been crucified and buried.  Now startling news was spreading that He had risen from the dead.

While they were absorbed in talking of these recent events, "JESUS HIMSELF approached and walked along WITH THEM" (Luke 24:15, Phillips).  But they were so busy talking ABOUT HIM they failed to recognize Him.

Jesus knew their bewilderment, but He questioned them concerning it.  He said, "You seem to be in deep discussion about something.  What are you so concerned about?" (v. 17, LB).

They proceeded to tell Him of the recent happenings.  They were troubled.  Their faith had been shaken.  They failed to understand what had taken place.

Jesus shared the Scriptures with them concerning Himself.  What a Bible study it must have been, with Jesus as the Teacher!  Later they remembered how their hearts were warmed as they listened to Him.

As we walk through life, we may be perplexed and disillusioned with things that have happened.  Our hearts may be filled with sorrow, tears may be falling from our eyes.  Jesus is always with us, but during such a time of need, He draws near in a special way.  He asks, "What are you concerned about?"  As He speaks, our hearts are warmed and the heavy load we carry is eased.

Perhaps we have been looking so intently at our problems and trying so hard to find an answer for them, we have failed to see Him walking with us in the midst of them.  As He walks with us, He guides, protects, and provides for us.

We do not face our needs alone.  He promises, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

Our road may be in the valley of discouragement and disappointment; the steep climb of heartache and sorrow; the rough path of pain.  He knows each step of our way.  He draws near to walk with us on it.

He is near to you today wherever you are, whatever your need, and walks with you as your close Companion and Friend.