Daily Journal: 11 March

He Rules

Some days we wake up with a feeling of discomfort. We wake up with a feeling of unease or even dread. Sometimes anxiety can be filling us even as we open our eyes, like water in a tub. Those feelings of dread or apprehension are not from God. They will unsettle us if we allow our minds to receive them.

We need to begin and end our days with what washes us clean and fills us with comfort and strength.

Psalm 46:1-11 (ESV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

The Word of God can change feelings of disquiet in moments of quiet meditation where we consume it like food and drink. It's nourishment. When we allow its power to penetrate our spirit, our mind and our heart can rest.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

That penetration of dividing what is righteous from what is unrighteous is precise, intentional, deliberate, and effective. The fear or uncertainty in our heart can be washed away with belief and resonance in our spirit that the Word of God is true. We can trust in Him.

We can choose to believe that God is with us. He is our refuge.

We can choose to be still and know that He is God.

Prayer

I will go into the world today and know that you are within me. The Lord of heaven’s mighty armies is within me. I may not feel ready to meet my day right now but that’s ok. I will rest in You. I will find my joy in You and bring Your joy where You have positioned me to be. I will be quiet and aware as the river of Your Holy Spirit fills me and washes around me, making glad the people around me.

You will make all arguments and unrest cease in my life. You will bring calm, just as You did in the boat with the disciples, commanding the storm to be quiet. The earth knows You and so do I. You are the all-powerful One and You rule. Every work of the enemy is broken like an archer’s bow being snapped in two, before me, at the Lord’s command. The Lord of Armies is with me and He rules over me and my household. This is my thanks-giving, my joy, my declaration, and my confident expectation. You are with us. We have everything we need. Amen.