Learning to Submit to God

Sometimes God slows us down to force us to address needed issues in our lives. We need a season of quiet reflection. Possibly He is providing us with a season of rest, yet even in our rest He is at work? Often a time of forced examination where He removes joyful activities from our days so that there is nothing else we can do but sit at His feet to figure it out is essential. What does He want us to know about Him, and who we are with Him, and without Him? Do we need a season to grow in gratitude?

We fill our days with joyful experiences, the things we like and love to do. They are not sinful, but they do add to the busyness of life. Long walks, coffee with friends, lunch dates, a time of pampering, or being overcommitted to work, to ministry – or anything else that distracts from the Lord being central to our focus – to our resting in Him.

Then He causes circumstances to change – and for a season we are not able to participate in anything. We are stuck where He has us – at home. It could be a bad cold, the flu, a broken leg, sprained ankle, or a broken down car. One way or another we find ourselves in a quiet and restful place.

Has He ever done this in your life?

When this occurs what are we to fill our times with; what are we to mediate on? What are we to think, and what are we to do? Furthermore, if you know someone in a situation like this, how can you encourage them, what wisdom can you share? Or, are you prepared for when next the Lord brings a season of quietness to your life?

• May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the LORD!" (Psalm 40:16)

• Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)

• Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations (Psalm 100:1-5).

• Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed (Revelation 15:3-4).

• Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).

• May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!" (Psalm 70:4)

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