The courage to kneel

Albert Bogle November 25, 2017 0 1

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Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble with its tumult.Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
    God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge.Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;
    see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations,
    I am exalted in the earth.’
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge.Selah

Today has been designated by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland as a National Day of Prayer. It is really a call from the General Assembly to remind us all that we can do nothing of any lasting significance in our own strength.

The psalmist reminds of this when he writes in Psalm 46: “‘Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations…’”. Humanity lives in such a way that we think we are the creators of all things. We have praised ourselves for our genus. The culture around us tells us that humanity has grown up and we no longer need God. We are the masters of the universe. Such thinking of course is short lived in the face of our inability to live at peace with each other never mind the destruction we have already brought about on Planet Earth.

Today we are invited to put our lives in perspective. It’s time we were silent before God in order that we might hear the one who made us speak into our hearts and lives.

Almighty eternal everlasting God

Give us the courage

To kneel 

In prayer

To be silent 

To wait

To listen

To let time pass

Without watching

Without planning

Without wanting

Yet in these moments

Accept our worship.