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Taking
God at His Word Dealing
with Distractions
Psalm 46:10 (NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Since the sudden attack upon the United States on September 11, 2001, Psalm 46 has been quoted perhaps more often than Psalm 23. The chapter begins with the comforting words, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble" (NIV). What a powerful and encouraging word from God in a time when distractions divide our attention and cloud our concentration. We remain glued to our televisions and computer screens. We are distracted from our normal routines. Even while we work, we tend to worry. Television news comes at us with multiple pictures on one screen. As we watch recovery efforts at ground zero in New York, current events in Afghanistan and Pakistan bombard us, all unfolding on the same screen. Additional news updates compete for our attention as they scroll across the bottom of the screen. Without a doubt, this avalanche of information distracts us. Furthermore, these distractions cloud our concentration as we experience the emotions of shock, anger, grief, resentment, discouragement, fear, and sorrow. You may ask, "What does God have to say about all that has happened?" In a word, "Plenty." God is not silent. What He says is vital to our sanity and security in the midst of all kinds of messages cascading through our minds and disrupting the "peace that passes all understanding." God speaks to us through His timeless and timely Word, God makes a simple, yet straightforward statement in Psalm 46:10 where He encourages us to, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." God tells us there are two truths we must keep in our minds and apply to our lives. First, God prods us to "be still," to cease striving, to trust Him completely for solutions rather than allowing our minds to be divided with worries of the world. You may be looking for a perfect solution in an imperfect world. There is only one perfect solution for this world and the world to come. He is Jesus Christ. God's Word teaches us to develop a close, personal relationship with the world's only Savior, Jesus Christ, to focus upon Him who is "exalted in all the earth." Our temptation, during times of terror, is to grope for our own solutions, trying to solve the insolvable, looking inward, when we should be looking upward. Throughout the history of Israel and Judah, severe national distress distracted and depressed God's people. They were tempted to abandon their true relationship with God for short-lived security in political alliances, military strength, and worldly paganism. Our nation must defend herself against all acts of terrorism. President George W. Bush is a man of prayer who seeks wisdom from above in the decisions with which he is confronted daily. His judgment since the infamous 11th day of September has been extraordinary. He has shown resolve without fear while staring in the face of those who would harm our citizens and destroy our freedom. We need to continue to pray for our president as he shoulders the awesome responsibility of leading our nation through this indescribable and unpredictable time. At the same time, instead of being weighted down with worry, God wants His people to ground themselves in a trusting relationship with Him. To do so is our ultimate security. Not only are we to "be still" and listen to God's still small voice, we are to "know that He is God." We are never prepared to live, until we have spiritually prepared to die. The only true security is to "know" that He is God. Faith, after all is "taking God at His Word." God wants us to be still and to cease operating from feelings of anxiety. God wants us to know Him. Knowing God involves remembering who He is, who He has always been, and who He will always be. This knowledge causes us to remember how God has exalted Himself throughout history and to recall the Bible's more than 6000 tried-and-proved promises. In dealing with the emotions that have flooded our souls in recent days, we can be certain that even when things seem to be out of control, God is in control. He is never surprised by what happens to us and He always prepares a way for those who trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. God reminds us that we are dependent creatures incapable of taking our next breath without the air He gives us to breathe. We are, after all, a needy people. God deals with the distractions that try to destroy us by reminding us not to seek safety in our own human ingenuity, but in His sovereignty. Amid all of the distractions of death, injury, heartache, and war, God speaks. Are you listening? Will you cease giving into feelings of anxiety? Will you reach out to the only true and living hope, the exalted Christ? In James, chapter four, verse eight, the Bible says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." This is my prayer for you.
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