And the reason they are real is because God is a living God. (Can I hear an Amen?)
God has opened my eyes and showed me what "Being still" meant months ago and I was completely mind blown by it. (and still am)
When I thought He was done on this topic, He then opened my eyes into seeing things on a completely different level. (Yeaaah, life with Jesus is always exciting.)
You gotta admit that we're living in a crazy world.
Fast, busy, intense, stressful.
That pretty much sums up how people are living their lives now huh?
Let's be real for a moment, shall we?
We're extremely spoilt to have everything instant. Everything fast.
Fast Wifi.
Fast food.
Instant noodles. (Oooohhh how I've missed maggie goreng)
..... the list goes on.
We often found ourselves complaining about how slow something is.
"Mann, the Wifi is super slow today."
"Why is it taking soooo longggg for my food to arrive?"
"It takes FOREVER for my (Forever 21) package to arrive." (No pun intended :P)
But really, how do we even define slow?
How do we even define "It's not happening?"
When are things will finally fall into place?
W h e n ?
Everyday, we have never ending questions to think about. Haunting us day and night.
A million questions of "What if.....", "What's next....?" "How.....?" "When......"
"He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:10
Imagine someone saying that to you when you're fully occupied with decisions after decisions, options after options.
..... be still and know that He's God?
Come on, how is that even possible?
Being still in the midst of uncertainties and knowing that He's God.....?
I don't know about you, but it's a tough lesson to learn right there.
Have you ever had that experience where you constantly praying for something and God keeps saying the same thing?
"Be still and know that I am God"
What does it really take to be still?
I'll never forget how God showed up and teaching me this on a whole new perspective.
I was in my room doing devotion. It was one ordinary day. But hey, extraordinary things will miraculously happen when God's presence is present.
I vividly remembered seeing a vision:-
3 very clear alphabets: I L L
There were a few alphabets before the "I L L " but it wasn't clear.
I didn't understand what was it straight away, but I kept praying for God to show me what it meant.
Few days later, it was as if a light bulb was lighted.
It was the word "Still". However, it was clearly separated: ST ILL
Before I go on and explain why was it separated, I think it's equally important for us to know that the word "Still"derived from a Hebrew word "raphah" which means "let go", "surrender", "let yourselves become weak".
Isn't it fascinating to see how that word weighs so much?? Well, that, was an eye opener for me.
Let's start with the 3 "S'"
1. Sovereign
It means absolute power, unrestricted, supreme, unlimited. (Refer to the later part of the verse, "know that I am God"). It's essential to know that He's in control of all things and all things are possible through Him.
2. Surrender
Simply admitting that we are weak and He's strong. Remember "surrender" and "let yourselves become weak" are part of the definition of "raphah"? Being vulnerable, surrender and putting our ultimate faith onto Him.
3. Steadfast
Our God is a steadfast God. He's loyal. He's faithful. He'll certainly let His promises come to pass in your life. When Jesus says "Yes", it means "Yes".
You've probably guessed it, T will be no other than-
Time.
Just how many times we want things to happen in our time? Our selfish, inpatient selves would want things right now. You might want it now, but God might not have the same plan as yours. He'll only make things happen in His timing. Yep, only in His timing.
Without the 3 S' and T, it will be left with -ill.
We'll be spiritually, emotionally or even physically ill.
When we're drowned in a pool of uncertainties that life throws at us, be sure to know that God's always there to say
"My Child, I've got this. I knew you before you're even born, do you not trust me? Do you not trust that I've got a plan for your life? A plan that's specially written for you and only you."
What really spoke to me for the past week was these 2 verses:-
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:6-7
"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."
Isaiah 40:26
...wow, did you see what I see?
Are you serious? The King of Most high knows the number of hairs I have when I myself am not sure of?!
If He knows the tiniest detail in your life, does He not know your desires and needs, my dearest brothers and sisters?
I can't explain how incredibly loved I felt when I first read this a couple of days ago. Like hey, if God cares the T I N I E S T detail of your life, does he not care about the bigger, greater things in your life?
I immediately was ashamed of my faith.
Couldn't I trust God on His timing?
Who else can I count on when I can't even wait on the One who created me?
I often would secretly thought to myself,
"Did God forget about this....? or..... ?"
Let's see what the bible tells us about:-
"God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?"
Numbers 23:19
When God promised us something, He'll fulfill it in His timing.
There's absolutely nothing can stop God from making certain things from happening if it's His will.
The God who created the universe, the God who created you and me is the same God who cares for the tiniest detail of your life.
I don't know what season of life you're going through right now.
It may be difficult to walk this journey of faith.
God sees every tear, every broken heart, every struggle.
I'd like to believe that the harder your obstacle, the greater the testimony.
Instead of saying "Why is this happening, God?"
Choose to say, "I can't wait to see how are You turning this situation into a testimony."
Instead of asking "When, God?"
Choose to say, "In You, I'll trust."
"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I left up my soul." Psalm 143:8
