Power and control are traces desired by man since the beginning of human history. Humans have always strived for power and how to control it. Actually the reason of all wars in human history, as bottom line, has been about power.
During the time of Jesus first advent, the expectations of the Jewish leaders, and consequently the people of Israel, was that a messiah would come, defeat the Roman Empire and make Israel a great nation.
Unfortunately for the Jewish leaders, when the Messiah came, Jesus brought a whole new, and yet, eternal concept about the Kingdom of God. All that humans have learned about power and kingdoms was now upside down.
Jesus teachings were clear that if we want to be part of His Kingdom, we need to follow His rules that go against all human understanding. Paul describes the things of God as ‘Foolishness’ as he writes:
“I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, ‘I will destroy human wisdom and discard their most brilliant ideas.’” 1 Corinthians 1:18-19 NLT
Not only the message of a God who became a man and died on the cross for our sins is ‘foolishness’ in some of the humans minds, but His teachings as well. Some of Jesus’ teachings were the opposite of human understanding, listen to this:
“… the way first is last, the way of success is service, the way of attainment is relinquishment, the way of strength is weakness, the way of security is vulnerability, the way life is death (to society, trends, self and even family). (Leonard Sweet, Jesus Drives Me Crazy).
Yet, it seems that in despite of His teachings we still struggle to let go the cinch of our lives. The idea of being in power is a big part of who we are and in many areas of our lives we always try harder to keep it all under control. People struggle for power in their work place, in church settings, financially, emotionally, etc.
Many times that grip comes in different forms of manifestation such as frustration, greed, disappointment, anger, harsh words and so on. I believe that one of the greatest struggles we Christians have is to let go the control over the facts of life.
Our Scripture reading today is the greatest advice we can find in the Bible about this subject: “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 ESV
Please think for few seconds about a moment of your life where you took matters into your hands and made all that was possible to have it done your own way.
In my life I have advised God, counseled God, given Him instructions in how to work the thinks I need in my life, telling him how I want that to be done, etc.
Friends, any time we take control of our lives and rely on our own understanding we are taking away the sovereignty of God in having control over our lives.
A quick look throughout the Bible and you will find out that God has always been in control over everything. The very first verse of Psalm 46 begins by saying:
“…God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1b NLT
Do you think Moses was in despair when the people of Israel were cornered between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s Army? Do you think Moses took time to advise God and tell Him what to do?
Of course not! Moses stayed still for he knew who God is! When he asked God who he should say sent him, God told him “I am who I am!” Exodus 3:14 NIV
Another great example of ‘staying still’ is found in the life of David as Saul was persecuting him. David had Saul’s life in hands twice and both times he decided to spare the king.
One time He said to Saul: “May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.” 1 Samuel 24:12 NIV
“Be still and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10. That was the attitude of Job when his whole world came tumbling down and he not only lost everything he had but he battled with a terrible disease in his own flesh.
However, one of his well known phrases of the book is: “And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!” Job 19:26 NLT
About being still, I love the story of Paul’s life! According to 2 Corinthians 11: 24-27 Paul was 3 times beaten with rods, once stoned, 3 times shipwrecked, spent 24 hours adrift at sea, faced flood, robbers, threats from his own people, from the Gentiles, weakness, pain, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst and faced cold without enough clothing to keep him warm.
Yet, this man writes to his disciple Timothy and tells him: “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 NIV
“Be still and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10
Jesus was not only a Person of words, but He was a person of actions. He lived what He preached and He gave us the greatest examples of all, when at Gethsemane He spoke the words “…‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’” Matthew 26:42 ESV
Jesus’ sacrifice was the greatest example of being still and knows that God is God and He is in control of everything. The disciples didn’t understand why Jesus had to die.
Some of them probably were upset, angry, frustrated, disoriented just because they could not see the big picture God had in sight.
In the first part of 2001, Cisa and I were waiting for a letter from a Conference in Brazil, officially calling us to go back to our Country and serve God over there. However, the days went by fast and by May 2001, we were sending résumés all over the place, even Alaska!
A little bit concern, but waiting in the Lord for His guidance and deliverance, we didn’t receive any invitation from any of the Conferences in the U.S.A. or Hospitals.
At that time it seemed that after four years studying at the Seminary, we would have to go back to Brazil and I would had to go back to my old trade in the Brazilian Merchant Marine.
However, let me tell you something about the God we serve. He is faithful! He may takes a little longer than you want to wait, but He delivers! He is the Mighty God!
Exactly Three day before our work permit would expire, God called me to serve Him in this District through the Ohio Conference.
In retrospective, I feel that God has never forsaken us. Just like the Red Sea, He waited at the last minute as Cisa and I was still, knowing that He is God.
Brothers and sisters, I don’t know exactly what you are going on in your life right now, but I can tell you this, we serve a God who is mighty. A God who is able to deliver us, it may not be the way you expect, but it will be the best way you could ever desire!
I encourage you to be still and let go the control of your life. Even when things won’t work the way you want remember the words of Paul saying “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV
He is our Protector, our Shield and as the song we about to sing says, He is our “Shelter in the Time of Storm” (528)
