This week I confess I have struggled to keep my eyes focused on Jesus and all His blessings and benefits. It's been one of those times when, like Peter in the Bible, I begin to look at the waves about me instead of at Jesus' face and I begin to sink in my fears and doubts. It is so easy to become discontent and fearful when trials, grief and pain, heartache, financial trouble, death, betrayal, brokenness, disappointment, tears, and sorrow come like crashing waves, one right after the other. But we must not allow them to consume us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and listen as He calms our waves of fear, speaks to our heart and soul and says "Be still, and know that I am God." Nothing else matters. He is in control. He leads us gently by the hand and pulls us up out of our grief, helping us to stand victorious and walk over the watery trials of life. He is ever ready to be our strength, hope, life, joy, and peace. He is listening for our voice to cry out "Abba, Father! I need thee every hour."
When we begin to lose focus of Him and look down at the waves, we will sink. And if we continue to allow them to consume us instead of calling out to our Savior, then we will eventually drown. It is through the trials of life that we become stronger, draw closer and learn more about our Savior and mature in our walk with Him. If it takes trials and tribulations to get our focus onto Jesus then we may have to go through quite a bit before we learn to continually keep our eyes on Him, to make Him our all IN all. When we turn our eyes upon Jesus and look into His wonderful face, then the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
This week as I was praying and the waves of tears were beginning to well up in my eyes, Jesus sat me down at the piano and I opened the Hymnal to this song...
Words By: Katharina A. von Schlegel 1752
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
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
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.
