Peace, Be Still

I was starting to lose it. I was frustrated at the lack of concern of my co-workers for getting the job done. I was frustrated with a customer and with the help desk for meddling with a service request. I was frustrated that I was not getting any work asssigned, yet they were coming in left and right for other areas. I could not understand (again) WHY I was in this position.

The song “Halleluyah” was in my mind, so I plugged the earphones in and listened to it from my smartphone. I sang along to myself in Hebrew, then looked up the verse, Psalm 148, on the web, reading the exhortation for all things to praise the Lord.

Then “Ha Lo Yadata” started, and so I looked up Isaiah 40 – verse 27

“Why do you complain, Ya’acov, why do you say Israel, my way is hidden from Adonai (the Lord), my rights are ignored by my God?”  I felt ignored and alone and I was complaining – like Ya’acov.

“He does not grow tired, nor is He weary…”

“He gives strength to the powerless…”

“But those who hope in Adonai will renew their strength…”

Next, “You Are My Hiding Place” started. I just wanted to hide in Him. I put my face in my hands and cried out to Him silently and worshipped.  I felt there was a storm around me, but I was hiding myself in the Almighty God, Creator of all things… and I heard distinctly in my spirit “Rest, my son”. Abbah (Dad)? Was that You? WOW. Tears came. He was here. He heard – He knew.

Then I read Psalm 32:7 –

“You are a hiding-place for me

You will keep me from distress

You will surround me with songs of deliverance.”

SELAH.

The music on my smartphone I had loaded months ago, and here they played in the specific order to be “songs of deliverance” to surround me. His word broke through the storm, and went directly to my spirit. The comfort of hearing “Rest, my son” I can’t describe with words, but then I knew He was there. Selah = be still and calmly think on this.  ‘Nuf said.

Learning To Trust

There are many passages in the Bible that speak of faith in God - the most famous is Hebrews 11. Some time ago I came across a translation that used the word "trust", in the place of faith. I liked the way it sounded - I could identify with it more.

Being able to trust someone or trust in something is valuable to people. We want to be able to trust our family member, friends, and leaders, and in services we receive. God asks us to trust Him - have faith in Him. Throughout the Bible, when people trusted God, they saw His faithfulness in doing what He said He would do. Why shouldn't we trust him? He is almighty and omnipotent - and He is good.

As a young believer, when I was just starting to walk and know the Lord, there was a occurrence that happened that helped me to trust Him. I was on my own for the first time in my life after college, and I had gotten a job working at McDonald's. It was important for me to be punctual and dependable if I wanted to keep the job. At that time I was living in a house about 1.5 miles from the store, and I had no means of transportation besides walking. So one morning I had to be in around 8AM. In order to get ready and get there by then I had to be wake up at 6AM.  All through college I had used an alarm clock to wake me up, because I was usually a sound sleeper. This particular night before going to bed, I was going to set my alarm, and I felt the Lord urge me to trust Him to wake me up.  With a boost of faith (trust) in Him, I didn't set the alarm and went to sleep, hoping to wake up at 6AM.

I was awakened by a swishing sound - a gentle "whoosh - whoosh- whoosh" beside me. It was morning. I looked over and the sound was coming from a piece of paper with a picture or saying that I had tacked to the wall behind my bed. One of the corners had come loose, and the piece of paper was swinging on the one tack that remained, holding it to the wall, creating a low "whoosh" as it swung back and forth. I quickly remembered I had to be up and looked at the clock - 6AM.

Now THAT is a wake-up call.