Friday, August 20, 2004

Let Nothing Shake

I've had a hymn going through my head for the last several days. Granted, I've been listening to it almost everytime I get into my car, so that helps keep it in my head.
Be Still My Soul. There is so much truth in that line. Yes, we are commanded to "Be still and know that I am God', but how often do we actually do that?
I know that so often I concentrate so hard to be still, that I forget to be still. I get distracted with trying to not be distracted. I was reading in Romans 8 this morning, and verse 26 hit me where this is concerned. "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." I realized that I don't have to try so hard to be still. Simply because God knows what I need, even when I don't, and He can take care of my lack of being still. He can Calm my soul, and refresh my spirit.
And so, here's the song that's been my refuge for the past several days. Take special note of the second verse, for it's been the cry of my heart.

Be still my soul
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to thy God to order and provide;
in every change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
to guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
and all is darkened in the vale of tears,
then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay,
from his own fulness, all he takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored,.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blesséd we shall meet at last.

Words: Stille, meine Wille; deine Jesus heift siegenKatharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel (born 1697), trans. Jane Laurie Borthwick (1813-1897)

"Let nothing shake my confidence in you, oh God. I trust you that the waves and wind will obey your voice. Someday it will all make sense, but for today, my confidence and hope is in you, the calmer of the storm. The calmer not only of the storm out there, but the one in my heart"

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