So many things assail our eyes and our ears.

So many voices crowd our head, sometimes deafening, and often deceiving.

So many competing thoughts about what is true, what is right, what is good.

So many things vying for our affections, our allegiance, our devotion.

So many noises seeking to distract.

So many things to divert our attention from the goodness of our Father.

So many mud puddles to sidetrack us from the beautiful waters right before us.

So many things threaten to undo our peace.

Turn it all off in our heads, pick up His Word, hear His words and not just with our ears.

The tyranny of the urgent is ever at hand.

“Be still and know that I AM God; I will be exalted among the nations.” (Psalm 46:10)

Be still.

Know.

Walk secure, live faithful.

“Wait for the LORD,; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)

The known is discouraging; the unknown can be frightening.

Wait for the LORD; take courage.

The sheer number of things to accomplish looms large.

Wait for the LORD; take courage.

The anticipation of the days ahead – some sweet and precious joys, some weighty concerns.

Wait for the LORD; take courage.

Stand in wonder.

Be done with anything that causes us to lose that wonder, that joy, that steadfastness.

Throw off everything which entangles, slows us down, takes our eyes off Him and His goodness, makes us hide, and run the race with perseverance. *  

“Speak truth to one another…” (Ephesians 4:25)

Drown out the false voices, the fine sounding arguments of what seems right, what seems good but is contrary to the truth of God, fear of God, and the love with which we are loved by Him and are to love.

“Encourage one another daily, while it is still today…” (Hebrews 3:13)

He is faithful.

Regardless of what has been or what will be: He is faithful.

See and remember the works He has done, see the changed lives, see the secured hearts.

“Let no one deceive you (not even your own heart)…for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk/live as children of light – for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth – discerning what is well-pleasing to the Lord…walk not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time…” **

No fear.

Set our eyes, our hearts, our minds – renew them, keep from deception from without and within.

The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you, establish you, protect you, guard you, keep you from the evil one. ***

Take heart.

Turn from self and turn to the Savior “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame…” (Hebrews 12:2) so that we might be forgiven, redeemed, transformed and securely His.

Walk in truth, stand in truth, sit in truth. ****

Remain in His promises for those who are His own.

Enter His rest…now and for eternity.

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”

Psalm 113:3

 

 

     * Hebrews 12:2

 **  Ephesians 5:6,8,9-10, 15-16

*** 2 Thessalonians 3:3

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,and who meditates on his law day and night.”

Psalm 1:1-2