Be still and know
We are now into our fourth week of lock down here in the UK. If I’m honest the first few weeks I was in chaos management as our leadership team tried to get pastoral and practical things in place for the church. Things are better now as I, like you, are finding a new ‘normal’.
I’ve been out for a few bike rides (part of my daily exercise) and cycled around Basingstoke early in the evening. It’s like a ghost town, but that’s good as it means people are doing what the Government has said.
I have found myself being drawn back to Psalm 46 over these last few weeks as a source of hope and encouragement. The Psalm concludes like this...
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.’
The LORD Almighty is with us;
The God of Jacob is our fortress.”
In these strangest of times many of us are being forced to ‘be still’ from our everyday activities. I still believe that God wants people to know that ‘He is God’. But what is He actually like? Here are three names the God users to describe himself in the Bible...
Yahweh-Shalom: The LORD is Peace (Judges 6:23-24)
If you are worried or anxious, good news, God can bring you His peace! Only in Him, will you find security, sufficiency, and serenity.
Yahweh-Yireh: The LORD Will Provide (Genesis 22:11-13)
There is a difference between what we want and what we need! During this time maybe God wants to address this for you? Remember He knows what you need and He will provide.
Yahweh-Shammah: The LORD is There (Psalm 139:7)
Simply put, God is everywhere! If you are alone, isolated or struggling with social distancing, be assured God is right there with you! You can call out to Him and He will answer.
Psalm 46 says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God’. Today and this week may you know that He is peace, He will provide and He is there for you!
Stay safe
God bless
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader