Day 69 | Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Day 69            May 27, 2020                          SEE YOU AT NOON FOR PRAYER

As time marches on with the changes that have confronted our lives, I find that my anxiety level sometimes takes a jump.  It doesn’t happen much.  When it does, I just remind myself that I am a person of faith and the God will guide us through this and the changes for the future.  So, I turn to Psalm 46 specifically verse 10 and am reminded that I need to be still, be quiet and remember God is God.  God did not cause this pandemic, but God is using in ways we do not yet understand.  God is allowing us to use the gifts God has given us to become better human beings, if we so choose.  Following in the Psalm from the New Revised Standard Version and the Message.  I have followed the scripture with the hymn “Be Still, My Soul.”
Psalm 46 -NRSV
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 her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early.
6 The nations rage, 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, how he has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, he burns the chariots 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]”

The Message  “God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.
2 We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
3 Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God of angel armies protects us.
4 River fountains splash joy, cooling God's city, this sacred haunt of the Most High.
5 God lives here, the streets are safe, God at your service from crack of dawn.
6 Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten, but Earth does anything he says.
7 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God of angel armies protects us.
8 Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
9 Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee.
10 "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything."
11 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God of angel armies protects us.”

Be Still, My Soul – Katharina von Schlegel, 1752; trans. By Jane Borthwick, 1855 Ps. 46:10
1.      “Be still, my soul: The Lord is on your side.  Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide; in every change God faithfully will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”
2.      “Be still, my soul: your God will undertake to guide the future as in ages past.
      Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake; all sorrow mysterious shall be bright at last.
      Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know the Christ who ruled them while he dwelt below.”
3.      “Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
​Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past, al safe and blessed we shall meet at last.” 
Lord, you are on our side making the journey with us through these days.  We remind ourselves that we need to pause, take a deep breath and be still for you will guide the future as you have the past.  Hear our prayers.  Amen
Today:  take time to be still and know that God is on your side