The message I heard Sunday morning reminded me of this teaching I shared nine years ago. The truth of God’s word never goes out of date.
“Do something, God!” Is that the cry of your heart? Are you dissatisfied with the way things are now and have been for a while? Is there a situation that needs changing and you feel the Lord is moving too slowly?
Those words above are the starting thought of Psalm 68. Do something God – do something. The Lord understands our thoughts and our impatience. However, He wants us to be content no matter our circumstances, not because our circumstances are good but because He can be trusted.
“God, get up and scatter your enemies! May all your enemies run from you…28God, show us your power! Show us the power you used for us in the past…33 Sing to him who rides his chariot through the ancient skies. Listen to his powerful voice! 34 Tell everyone how powerful he is! He rules over Israel. His power fills the skies.” Psalm 68:1-34 ERV
Look at this story of Peter after one of his arrests.
“He (Herod) arrested Peter and put him in jail, where he was guarded by a group of 16 soldiers. Herod planned to bring Peter before the people, but he wanted to wait until after the Passover festival. 5 So Peter was kept in jail, but the church was constantly praying to God for him.
6 One night, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two of the soldiers. More soldiers were guarding the door of the jail. Herod was planning to bring Peter out before the people the next day. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord was standing there, and the room was filled with light. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him up. The angel said, “Hurry, get up!” The chains fell off Peter’s hands.” Acts 12:4-7 ERV
What I want you to see is the change in Peter? This is the same Peter who not only denied being a follower of Jesus but denied he even knew him when questioned by a young girl and some men around a fire.
Now he has been imprisoned simply because Herod was wanting to make points with the Jewish people by arresting christians. Peter isn’t pacing in his cell, he isn’t pleading his cause of false arrest, he isn’t even involved in an all night prayer meeting telling the Lord how unfair it is that he is there.
Peter is at rest – he’s sleeping! He’s learned to trust – he’s content. Peter’s confident that God is in control and by his side.
If your day started with the heart’s cry of the Psalms, “Do something, God!’ then calm down by focusing on the words just a few verses below this.
“Our God, you are the one who rides on the clouds, and we praise you. Your name is the Lord, and we celebrate as we worship you.” Psalm 68:4 CEV
Learning to trust brings peace. Trust takes us from fear to rest.
“I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 CEV