What better way to look a week than by praising our God?
“Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you, sing praise to your name!” Psalm 67:4
“Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10
My Emmaus brother, Jim, knows this is one of my favorite verses of Scripture and probably in the top two or three things God has ever had written down of His words – it would be a hard choice to pick either Psalm 46:10 or John 10:27-28 or Matthew 14:27:33 as more meaningful to me.
Each has given me such peace and direction in the dark initial days of my daughter’s illness. The three have played key roles in God’s rebuilding of who I am as a man of faith and maybe more importantly then through today and into forever, these two verses, spoken by God, are the anchor of trust within my soul. Whenever stresses or anxiety about anything weigh upon my mind, God gently brings these words to me to remind me that I am one of His sheep that nothing can touch or harm and in that I need just silence the fears in the knowledge that He is God and nothing is outside His power or plan. Even in the most dire and dark of storm, Jesus stands before me, calling me out of the boat in full trust of Him. Jesus is God and has reign over the storms. Even the storms of our own faith and heart, if we simply are still, in trust.
Rest in these two verses when troubles or stress come. Know these aren’t just written words in the Bible, these are God’s actually words, spoken for you and me.
“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.” John 10:27-28
“But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”” Matthew 14:27:33