Above It All
Notes
Transcript
Come Home
Come Home
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,
SEEK FIRST
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
“resting” (Heb. “nachath”—“to lie down, be quiet, descend, depose, etc.” It’s the picture of serene sheep “lying down in green pastures and beside still waters” (
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This experience leads to me to trust more trying contexts
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
practice stillness
practice stillness
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.
Quiet Confidence
Quiet Confidence
Is it any wonder, then, this will produce “quietness and confidence (Heb. ‘bitach’—‘trust, safety, assurance, hope, security, etc.’) within us, which will be our strength (Heb. ‘gebuwrah’—‘force, valor, victory, mastery, might, power, etc.’)”? No, not at all
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.