The Upper Room devotional reflection for Monday, October 17, 2022, comes to us from Michael A. Poe of Florida.
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 the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. 6 The nations are in an uproar, 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; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields 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)
Psalm 46:1-11NRSV
MAKING TIME
From the moment my alarm goes off until I fall into bed at night, I feel like I am constantly on the go. Between school, work, and home, I rush from one place to the next. If I ever have a moment of silence, it’s usually filled with a phone call or listening to music. It is no wonder at the end of the day that I feel completely drained!
Psalm 46:10 reminds me that my life is missing intentional silence. It encourages me not just to be still but, in my stillness, to remember that God is in charge. Even Jesus took time away from his ministry to be alone and talk with God. Throughout the years, I have spent some time in the Middle East, and I’ve always marveled at the faithfulness of my Muslim friends. No matter what they are doing, they stop five times a day to spend time with God when they hear the call to prayer. I admire the way they have chosen to be intentional about their prayer lives. Perhaps we can follow the example of our Muslim siblings and set specific times throughout the day to spend time with God – praying, reading scripture, and following the example Jesus set for us.
Friends,
One of our S.M.A.R.T. Goals for 2022 is to have eighty-eight members of our church committed to some form of personal spiritual develop. Personal spiritual development occurs through a number of vehicles, like bible studies, book studies, retreats, and daily time in prayer, to name a few. Michael’s reflection highlights the importance of slowing down and setting aside time to spend with God. Taking time to be still and commune with God helps us to center our hearts and minds amidst the hurried pace of our lives. I invite you to take some time today, intentionally be still, and listen to God’s voice.
--Pastor Anthony
Prayer:
Dear God, you are bigger than our busyness. Help us to set aside the noise of life and to sit in silence with you, even just for a moment. Amen.
-- Michael A. Poe
Prayer Focus:
Busy parents.
Thought for the day:
Today, I will make time to be still with God.