When the waters are rough all around us, and it seems like we are beginning to sink, is it not the hardest thing ever, to think that God has everything under control? Yet in God’s Word He is instructing us to ‘be still’; ‘stay calm’; ‘surrender your anxiety’ and look for the ways that God is working among us – even through the toughest times. Perhaps God will open our eyes today to see what He’s up to in 2021, even among all the shocking news we hear about Covid deaths in our circle of family and friends.

DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2021-08-18
WRITTEN AT: Hattiesburg, MS

BY: Ed Algreen

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 46:10-11
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 10 Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth. 11 Here he stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! …

APPLICATION: Do you suppose that God created us in His image, loved us unconditionally, provided the means for us to move from this old sinful world into the glories of heaven, yet He places us here on earth to endure sorrow, hardships, loss of loved ones, and pain that often seems too hard to bear? What if you add into the mix of those thoughts, the idea that God gave us free will, or options/choices, that we could make on our own? I believe we could then see how we would might often divert from God’s ordeals, and meander down a path that becomes very slippery, muddy, or clouded with doubt, unbelief, selfishness, greed, etc. At some point we will look around and realize that we have taken ourselves down a road that led us into doubt, financial failure and hatred to our fellow man. Often we will then question why God allowed us to get like that, and we may even question whether God still truly loves us. But friends, I hope that we could today catch a glimpse of the loving and caring God that we serve. As we commit ourselves to Him, and as we allow Him to guide and direct us, we will see that He is indeed working all things out for our good. I believe that God is encouraging us today, through His Word, to keep our eyes fixed on Him. Not the circumstances around us, for He has everything under control! Satan is the master of confusion and responsible for distracting us from the path that leads to God. Satan knows that our minds are made to doubt and look at the worst possible outcome, so when we see young dads losing an unexpected bout to Covid, and we hear of relatives who are struggling for dear life as they fight off the pain and discomfort of this dreaded disease, we then begin to question if God is still there and allowing so much bad to come to His chosen children. But I believe that God is calming the waters around us and saying: ‘Just trust me dear child. I never promised you a set number of years. I endured heartache and hatred and was punished by children that I made and loved, so surely you will also face challenges while here on this old sinful earth as you follow in my footsteps. But stand still my child, for nothing is occurring that I am unaware of. I am still in control and will cause all things to work for good, to those who trust in Me. Yes, stand still, and just watch as things unfold before you. In the end, you will see what I was up to. In the meantime, be still and worship me anyways, knowing full well that I am God and I will always do those things that you expect of God’. My works and my message is signed in blood – the blood of my precious and perfect Son, Jesus.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Regardless of our anxious minds and our questions of all that occurs around us, we still serve a God of love, peace and joy. He has our best interest at heart, and He will be glorified through every work that He ordains.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, it is so natural to respond like the world expects – panicked, frustrated, hateful, revengeful, etc. Thank you for reminding my readers, listeners and I that You are still in control, even in a world that seems to be so out of control. There are times that as mere humans, we are ready to throw our hands up, as we just can’t imagine the world continuing in its present state. This seems like an anxious spirit of which You are guarding us against in Your Word today. Thank You for the reassurance that You are always in charge of our lives, and of everything that occurs around us, so there is no need to become anxious or fearful or troubled. Praise be to our God on high, ‘You’ve got this’, and we can calmly relax and be happy in the Lord! AMEN!