Be Still, Let God Work

It's Monday once again and it's another day to share with you a devotional about covenant marriage written by David, a fellow stander from North Carolina.

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"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

This is a well-known verse, particularly the first eight words. It was only a few weeks ago that a friend told me that the Hebrew word used for "still" in this verse is not what we might think. Strong's Concordance indicates that the Hebrew word used here can mean "cease" (my friend remembered it could be translated as "enough"). So, the idea here is really that God is telling us "that's enough" or "stop" and understand that He is God, and we are not. How often we forget this. If I had things my way I would try to control how everything works out in God restoring my marriage, but God wants me to realize that I will just get in the way of Him doing His work in my prodigal's heart. I felt that God was telling me today "Back off, and let me be God here" (that's an unofficial translation for sure, but you get the idea).

Here's what God told Moses to say to the Israelites when they were pinned up against the Red Sea with the Egyptians nearing them.

"Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:13-14

Again, God is commanding His people to let Him do His work as God. He had already promised to bring them up out of Egypt, and He was setting the stage for one of the greatest displays of deliverance and power ever--the crossing of the Red Sea. Let's not limit what God can do. The Israelites had no idea (nor did Moses) that God was going to open up the Red Sea until this final moment when God told Moses to stretch out his hand and divide the waters. How awesome is our God! And all the while, the angel of God moved in between the Israelites and the Egyptians so that the Egyptians only saw darkness, yet the Israelites only saw light on their side of the pillar of cloud (see Exodus 14:19-20).

"Oh Lord, send Your angel to stand behind my covenant spouse _____ so that your deliverance will open up before him/her like the Red Sea did for the Israelites, but the enemy will be blocked off behind him/her. Let me let You be God, and I humbly ask that You build up a wall of fire that the enemy cannot penetrate and bring Your deliverance to _____. I pray this in agreement for all prodigal spouses, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen."

God will do whatever it takes to accomplish what He has planned, so let's just get out of the way (or, as Charlyne often says, 'Let go and let God'). Yes, we are in a battle for our marriages, but when the Lord has spoken to you that He will deliver your spouse from the enemy and restore your marriage, stand firm in His promises. He will never fail you...the honor of His name is at stake!

"...This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's....You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you...'" 2 Chronicles 20:15,17

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;..." Psalm 37:7

So as we wait patiently for Him to do what only He can do, be thankful and joyful that the Holy Spirit is continually speaking to your spouse in many ways. Take this time of waiting and standing firm in His promises as a time to praise Him every day. Praising the Lord pleases the heart of God in ways we will never fully understand on earth.

"May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him." Psalm 67:5-7

This wonderful Psalm is telling us that the land will not yield its harvest until the people praise Him. God may be waiting for your heart to fully surrender to Him in trust, thanksgiving, and praise before He will release His work in your marriage.

"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:3-4

What is your heart's desire today? The Lord stands waiting to open His storehouse of blessings for those seek who His way as their heart's greatest desire.