God of life, help the life of this dear reader in all that they may be facing; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Selah) 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. 6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah) 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah)
A lesson I learned a long time ago about prayer is that when we pray, we worship. We lift high the Name of God and we praise God. And when we finish we were taught to say amen, which we usually say to mean, "well said." or "let it be so." I learned that "amen" should mean, "It's Your turn now, God, speak to me." And this Psalm, like so many, contains the word "Selah." Many believe that this is a point where a musical interlude would be inserted and some believe it means, "Stop and listen." The Psalm becomes even more beautiful and powerful if we can read the first part, a declaration of Who God is and does; then, we stop and listen. God is mighty and powerful, and though things around us seem like they're crumbling, stop and listen for God. Is it not God saying, "I am with you," when we need God most? The Psalmist compares our life to that place where we need to go, a city, where God is and though all the world may be in an uproar, GOd is with us. The calamities and wars of the time are no match for the peace that God offers us.
Christ is the King, and He is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. And we belong to Him. Stop and listen
PRAYER: Loving God, we know that sometimes the things around us get so noisy and we can't even hear ourselves think. But even in the noise and distraction of things going badly or worries about life, we can stop and listen for You. Let it be so today, that I can stop and listen for You. Speak to me when I say amen, and even when I don't. I pray these things in the Name of my King, Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Stop and listen.
Eradio Valverde
