¹⁰  “Stop fighting,” he says, “and know that I am God, supreme among the nations, supreme over the world.” ¹¹  The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.      Psalm 46:10-11 (TEV) 

 ⁸  Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. ⁹  But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me. ¹⁰  I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.   2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (TEV)

A little diversion! You’ve got to have a change! So you open your eyes wide to let in images of things, or you squint because you’re nearsighted! Close them altogether! Have interior life, and you’ll see the wonders of a better world, a new world with undreamed-of color and perspective … and you’ll draw close to God. You’ll feel your weaknesses; and you’ll become more God-like…with a godliness that will make you more of a brother to your fellow men by bringing you closer to your Father.  (1)

Yesterday, my sermon was on one of those passages that requires us, not just to hear it and go -“Okay”, but one that goes deeper.  One that calls us to really stop, and think through the depth of the image that is revealed to us in scripture.

It is the reason that we know God, it is the very concept that underlies why there was an incarnation, why there were miracles and sermons on mountains and from boats a little off shore.  It gives us a glimpse at the height and depth and breadth of width of God’s loves, revealed to us in Christ.  Probably one of the greatest pictures in scripture of our relationship with God is that in Isaiah 66:10-14 – of the joy and intimacy between a mother feeding her infant.  Such is our relationship with God. 

But I think there is a need to do more than just hear the words and then go about our day. For the thought passes quickly, even for those who spent a week processing the concept, and trying to put into words this love of God.  Phone calls, drop in visitors, the trauma’s that occur, and the victories ( like getting a email from my worship minister who is in Cambodia teaching a course for some 200 pastors!), or the challenges of taking a Doctoral level course in preaching from the Old Testament (where the above verses came into play!) 

I think we need to take more than a moment thinking deeply about the meaning of such wondrous descriptions of God’s love for us!  I think we need to savor it slowly, drawing from it every drop of His grace.  Hearing His love, basking in the glory of knowing this is our God!  He has called us to be His family!  We dwell, not in the anxieties and stresses of this world, but in His presence, nourished and comforted by Him.  That’s what Escriva is talking about, as he tells us to close our eyes and look within, not to see our souls – but to realize the presence of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us. 

He is here…

This we need to know….revel in, relax in…….think through… 

Be Still, quiet, relax… and know that I am God. 

Take the time to hear the answer to your cries, “Lord have mercy!”

(1)   Escriva, Josemaria (2010-11-02). The Way (Kindle Locations 749-752). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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