Shhhhh . . .

Updated: Sep 19, 2023

My heart and mind have been restless this week. Struggling to figure some things out. Conflicted to even know where to begin. Just scattered.

So isn’t it just like God to take me back to these powerful verses this morning:

“Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools . . . Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2).

When I get scattered like this, I do tend to be more hasty and impulsive in my prayers to God. My words reflect more of my unfocused, peace-searching heart.

I’m not saying God doesn’t want us to share those honest thoughts. Not at all. But when we come to Him, He’s most often saying,

Shhhhhh . . .

Just listen.

I. am. God.

Then when we obey, like I did this morning, and fight with all our might to shut down the racing thoughts, it gives Him room to speak His truth and His love and faithfulness into those cracked, distorted, struggling places.

And for me this morning, it included this prayer of Asaph’s:

“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand, With Your counsel You will guide me, . . . The nearness of God is my good.” (Psalm 73:23-24, 28)

Don’t neglect to “draw near to listen” to the God who is “continually with you.” His “nearness is [your] good.”

“Cease striving and know that I am God . . .” (And the result?) “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).