Be Still

It's 10pm right now and I am knee deep in searching for our new home. A friend of mine checked in on me via email and when I responded back with a brief summary of what has been going on in my head (and I say this because in all actuality my world is still very secure) she sent me this. What encouragement! Thank you Jesus! Thank you my Beautiful Friend!

Drop the Reins -

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the
nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10

This has always been one of my favorite verses. The image of
being still before God, resting in Him and knowing that He is in
control gives me great comfort. I recently discovered that the
Hebrew word for be still, "raphah", has another meaning.
Raphah means not only to be quiet, but it can also mean to let
drop or let go, especially the hand. It is the picture of a
horseback rider dropping the reins and letting the horse be
totally in control.

When I was young, I dreamed of having my own horse. My favorite
books were the "Black Stallion" series and I read every one of
them. When I grew up and actually had the opportunity to ride a
horse, I have to admit to being afraid! Suddenly that beautiful
horse became a powerful horse. What if he didn't listen to my
commands? What if he decided to go where he wanted? What if I
lost control? The problem was - it wasn't my horse. I didn't
know him. Didn't know how he'd respond to circumstances we might
encounter. Didn't know if I could trust him. Didn't have faith
in him.

It's not that way with God. When we have a personal relationship
with the Lord through Jesus, we can trust Him. The more we
develop that intimate relationship, the more we come to know Him
and the more we know that we can place our faith in Him
completely. No matter the circumstances, He is right there to
help us through them.

Do you see the application? Be still. Drop the reins. Let God
be in control. Quiet your heart to the extent that there is no
striving, no worry, no fear. It's not easy at first to do this
but it's an amazing way to gain God's peace. Lately, if one of
those little "what if" thoughts comes into my mind or if I feel
myself trying too hard to control a situation, I literally drop
my hands to my side and recite Psalm 46:10 as a prayer back to
God. "Lord," I say, "You tell me to be still and to know that
you are God. I drop the reins and I choose to let You be in
control. You already have the situation under control. You work
all things together for good because I love You and You have a
purpose for my life."

The word raphah is also used to speak of God and His promises.

For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or
destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which
he confirmed to them by oath. Deuteronomy 4:31

The word abandon, or forsake in the KJV, is also the word
raphah. Here it says that God will NOT let go or drop the
reins. He is merciful and will not forget His promises! While
we continually give Him the control, He faithfully promises not
to abandon us.

"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The LORD
your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor
forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

The word fail in this verse also means abandon or forsake.
It's like God wants this point very clear. He will neither
abandon nor forsake (which also means leave or abandon) us!

Whatever circumstances you're facing today, no matter how hard or
heart breaking they may be, know that God will never, never leave
you. Turn to Him, drop the reins and let Him work the situation
out for your good and His glory! Be exalted O Lord!

God Bless,
Teri standing in MN
"Rejoice Marriage Ministries"