Lake Michigan at sunset
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. ~Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
“The command “cease striving” comes from the Hebrew imperative verb meaning “sink down, let drop, relax.” Most people quote this verse in a soothing, reassuring tone, like a serene invitation to enjoy the fellowship of God. It is, in fact, a rebuke . . .
“Hebrews 4:9 promises: “So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” In response to your realization of personal weakness, God has called you to “cease striving,” to end the perpetual, frenetic grind to overcome difficulties too big for you.
“Does this mean we should slip into neutral and do nothing? Hardly. It means we first enter that rest He has provided (Hebrews 4:11), and then face the situation without panic or strife. If He wants us involved, He will give our minds clarity, removing any doubt as to what we should do. Our responsibility is to enter deliberately into His invisible sanctuary of rest, to trust Him completely for safety and provision. That is our best preparation for battle; to be filled and surrounded by His Sabbath rest. It is amazing what that does to stop the grind of personal weakness.”
~Chuck Swindoll in Living the Psalms: Encouragement for the Daily Grind
Read the whole devotional here: http://www.insight.org/library/insight-for-today/cease-striving.html
Still in the pink,
Sandy
Welcome to Still Saturday where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and words. We’d love for you to join us. Get the details on the left, grab your favorite button, and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to gaze long and drink deep.
thanks for the link up! have a restful day!
It seems we have a theme of rest going on here today!
“… His invisible sanctuary of rest.” I love the sound of that, Sandy!
Bowing in His sanctuary and taking a deep breath of His holiness.
Dear Sandra
Oh, what a glorious day when we truly realize that we are cordially invited to stop striving to save ourselves and just enter the Life of Jesus, allowing Him to live His resurrected life in and through us.
Blessings XX
Mia
I read a great deal of Swindoll in my early years as a Christ follower… I need to grab a book off the shelf and re-visit. I had forgotten how much I loved him.
This was a lot to chew on tonight. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Sit down, catch your breath, be quiet, and listen!
Such wise words, more often than I like to admit.
Thank you for this, Sandy, and for hosting us. xoxo
Indeed, His Presence is the best preparation for battle! Thank you, Sandra.
“difficulties too big for you”–Yes.
I’m not striving. I just don’t know what “rest” looks like in this situation.
I love that quote Sandra, full of richness. Praying you have a restful, peaceful Sabbath my lovely friend. Love you so . . .
OH! This is just what my soul needed to read this evening. And now to ponder. Remembering to rest in Him and spend that precious time in quiet to know if…IF… I am to do, to be, to ?? Just be with Him. Thank you so much for this and I must find a Chuck Swindoll book. I know I have not read any of his in years!!
Found you through Deidre’s Sunday Community. Happy to be joining you this week. Thank you for hosting this “sit” in 😉
Beautiful, Sandra — the photo and the quote. I gave my husband a ring with this verse on it. Thanks for hosting & God bless!
You know, that scripture needs to be on my fridge or something where I can be reminded of it EVERY day! I love it Sandra.
Hi Sandra, I too return to this verse again and again. Beautiful photo of Lake Michigan!
Thank you, Ellen