{photo compliments of Shirley}I hadn’t planned on being here this week, but I couldn’t let today go by and not give witness and praise to the tenderness and care of Jesus who interrupted my pain last evening with the gift of his presence.
Last night, I gathered with my Bible study gals. Together, we’re working through Jennifer Rothschild’s “Me, Myself, and Lies.” Our weekly homework landed us in Psalm 46:10 for some pondering. We spent time discussing what it means to “be still” before the Lord and “know him.” I asked them when that happened for them—when are those times in their days when they know that they know that they know their God is present and reachable.
Some of them responded with…
when witnessing scenes of nature… rain, snow falling, beautiful sunrises, sunsets.
while working in the yard.
when the kids are sleeping.
when the house is quiet.
while driving alone.
with praise music.
while praying.
It was a lively discussion filled with the palpable hungering of hearts for more allowable moments of stillness before God. And when our discussion closed, I reminded them that they didn’t need to wait for the quietness of a house or the brilliance of a morning’s sunrise or even the serenade of voices to lead them to a place of stillness. I reminded them that God’s stillness is available to each one of us in the midst of swirling chaos—times and seasons in our lives when we can hold a full knowing of Jesus simply by pausing and turning inward to do what Brother Lawrence would spend his life doing—
practicing the presence of God.
And with that admonishment and with loud acclaim, I voiced these words to the thirty-some women sitting within earshot…
“Times, ladies, when we say with all the confidence of heaven, ‘I know that I know that I know that you are God, Father, and I am not.’”
And with those words and in that moment, I received the rich witness of the Holy Spirit’s agreement to my proclamation. Chills ran up and down my spine, the tears came, and my gals were spectators to the truth of God’s Word in living color.
Last night, I stilled my heart before God, spoke truth regarding his witness, and, once again, knew that I knew that I knew. And it was true and perfect and, for a few brief moments, enough to make all of heaven bend low to shout its witness regarding its King.
I pray for you a know that you know that you know kind of moment today. I prayed it for my girls last night. Oh that we would all take time to pause in our schedules to simply breathe our Jesus in and to acknowledge him for who he IS.
Be still and know your God. He longs to validate his witness in your inner being through the power and strength of his Holy Spirit. Take care to notice your King. He is great; he is good; he is here. As always…
peace for the journey,
Elaine, this is exactly what I needed to read today! Thank you so much for sharing this! I started that Bible Study in the summer but we moved right in the middle of it and I never finished it. I think I might go back and finish the book on my own now! 🙂
How awesome are those when-heaven-and-earth-collide moments! Truth revealed. Eternity sealed.
Blessings,
Sita
I had one of those moments today as I drove in the car to work. I was praying, and for the first time in a week or so, my "disconnect" i talked about in my last blog post disappeared… at the time, I don't think I really realized what was going on… but looking back, I sense that the Holy Spirit was praying through me, moving me to tears for someone I was praying for (not the safest to do while driving), and giving me the words to pray.
Oh, today it is fully true for me that I know that I know that I know that He is God, and I am not.
Today, I have the blissful feeling of connection to Him and peace that is always there but not always "felt" by me.
Thank you for this, for the reminder to be still and know… to breathe Him in during the day and acknowledge Him purposefully throughout the day.
Love to you my sister,
Heather
That was beautiful and more timely than you know! Thank you and God bless you with many "know that you know that you know" moments in the the days ahead. Blessings, Isunji
Beautiful…
One of my favorite verses of all time!
Beautiful words…I felt that STILL in the morning in a beautiful yet frightening way. And I KNOW THAT I KNOW THAT HE IS GOOD…and that He is true to His own word.
Blessings, Gladwell
True stillness is an inner peace, found in spite of the externals.
Another beautiful, Spirit-breathed post.
thank you, Elaine. Timely message. My own special awareness of His presence this week came trhough pain of the heart and body that finally put me in bed – yet His presence so filled me that pain dissipated. He is faithful.
That is so true…often times we don't even think about God until it's quiet and still, but when we consider Him in the midst of our chaos and storms, He is there…
I'm getting chills just picturing it. How wonderful it must be, Elaine, to be in Bible study class with you 🙂 What a blessing that would be.
Thank you for your sweet encouragement over at the Wellspring today. I'm moving through it…
love to you.
Elaine,
Whew girl–that is good stuff! I'm so thankful that God showed up to tenderly caress you with a hug that spoke volumes to your spirit. Much love to you as you continue the journey.
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
Love, love, love "Me, Myself & Lies". Have done it twice…once with my small group and once leading it in Sunday school. It is a phenomenal study and one that every woman needs…some of us desperately need it.
Really, it changed the way I thought and talked to myself.
Leah
Elaine…..
Wonderful post.
My hearts cry is simply "I love you Lord, You love me and You are My God!!
Years ago before I was taken into surgery I breathed that "know that I know" simple 12 word declaration from the fullness of my heart and such amazing peace and assurance flooded my soul from the Throne of Grace! I've never forgotten that experience! I was practicing His Presence laying upon a guerny……no formulated, perfect setting, predetermined location and time……just the outflow of a very "bottom-line" to the point heart cry……and His amazing Presence was there!! Hallelujah!
We serve and awesome God!
Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
wifeforthejourney:
How good it is today to reflect on God's presence. All to often I allow myself to get way-laid by the demands of the week and this one has been no exception. Through it all, God remains close-at-hand waiting for me to notice that He has never left.
Your writing and daily encouragement stirs my heart to "look around" today. That is just what I need, and so you are another way that "I know that I know that I know" that God is near and that He loves me!
Love you,
Billy
I admit feeling a tinge of jealousy as I began to read about your women's study wishing I could be there. But as I continued, your words relaxed me with peace and I know that I know that I know this trial will come to an end and when it does, I'll be praising God for what I see not just what I praised Him for in the dark.
Big hugs,
Mary
So often the focus of this verse is the beginning part – and many do not even know there is more to it. I'm glad that you posted the entire verse here.
I think it is necessary to understand the whole reason for our 'being still' is so that we KNOW our GOD – SO THAT HE CAN BE EXALTED among ALL Nations – and be KNOWN in ALL THE EARTH. There is always PURPOSE behind what He commands. "Being still" is one of them!
Love the verse!
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
JESUS ONLY in 2010
yes, our is to exalt him 🙂
I know what you're talking about Elaine! Today I wanted to write. It was almost like I NEEDED to write but was, as happens so frequently now it seems, empty.
Then an idea came. I sat down to write and it seemed like the words just flowed. Like God just opened up my mind and sent the words to me. I love it when that happens! And the thing is….what I wrote may not help another single person, but it helped me!
God bless you for your faithfulness Elaine! You're very special to me!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Sweet friend, His message through you–so precious to me.
There's joy in His presence.
And eternal pleasures.
Thank you for your obedience in sharing these words.
Sweet dreams.
Love the thought of Jesus interrupting our pain with the gift of His presence… What a loving Savior!
‘I know that I know that I know that you are God, Father, and I am not.’”
That's IT isn't it?
We are not, but HE IS!!!
Glad you came back to share this one Elaine!
Hugs!
Sonja
Elaine, So happy to have found your site, and I so agree with your words of wisdom. Jesus is here, right now, with us, in us, around us, and sitting at the right hand of God. Isn't it wonderful to know that we know that we know … Him! AMEN
The knowing and the touch comes so easily in the quiet. I think that has why my world has been so "silent" of late — a needed time of preparation before this trip to Haiti.
A filling of sorts before an emptying.
It has seemed wrong if not impossible to try and be wordy when the words just don't come. :o) So, I have lurked of late and soon very soon, my friend, I hope my words find their home once again.
Shalom,
Denise
Oh, how we find Him in the most unlikey places or times.
Thank you Elaine – you have blessed me today!
Such a wonderful post (as usual). Love your words.
Nancy in NC
So wonderful.
My heart is heavy this night. There's much weighing it down. My emotions are high. The tears keep coming. But, I know my King is here to scoop me up and take care of me. I know that I know that I know HE is GOD. He will see that my needs are met. Please remember me in your prayers Elaine.
I read Practice the Presence of God when I was 14 years old. Transformed my heart. God is present we just need to acknowledge and invite Him to join us in every moment. So cool.
This is simply awesome, Elaine.
No need for more words here… I just want to bask in that truth… to be still and know that God is God.
It has been the theme of my life journey this year… your post is another confirmation that God is speaking to my heart.
Thanks for being you, Elaine. We have not met face to face, but it doesn't matter. Just allow me to tell you, I truly appreciate what God is doing in your life.
Love
Lidj
Elaine, minutes ago I left these verses for Denise. What was ringing in my ears was…I know whom I have believed… Yes I know that I know. How beautiful it is when the Lord manifests His Presence to us. Blessings, B
2 Tim 1:9-12
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
NIV
There's just no better "know".
Years ago – on the heals of much fretting – I began saying aloud to myself: If all I have is the Lord, He is enough. Eventually I actually believed it. And today I know that I know that I know it is rock solid Truth.
Thanks for such a worthy encouragement.
Kathleen
That place of "knowing," to know that I know that I know, is a gift of the Lord to us as we surrender our not knowing to Him and become empowered with His ability to know. It is the most beautiful place of peace that can be experienced between God and man. Total trust in His presence. This was just perfectly presented to stir up desire in my heart to remember to depend upon Him to bring me that that place on a consistent basis. Thanks Elaine.
thank you for so beautifully sharing your moment. i've been thinking about how much God is sometimes just a concept in my in my head and not a reality in my life. what if we had more and more moments, like this very one, where we know God is real, that His Word is true, that He means what He says. what would our lives look like?
Know that I know that I know!
elaine,
Stop back by The Point and check out the comment by Elaina regarding the missing comments/MTN View, CA issue. Blogger says that the comments issue is Blogger related and they have restored my missing comments.
Leah
Oh how the Lord led me here today because he knew I needed to hear these words. I have been in the trenches this week of running around, long nights of homework, etc and finding myself running on fast forward. Breathing in Him has been at the bottom of my list and it is no wonder I am running on empty. Thank you my friend for sharing with us and touching my heart.
sweet testimony!
i know that i know that i know!
Hey Mrs. Elaine!:) Sorry, long time no talk to you!:) I had one of those moments yesterday. I have been leaving the praise music off in the car when I take Makenna anywhere, so i haven't had much of an opportunity lately to sing praises in my car while driving. Last night, I got to go to the groc store by myself, and turned up the praise music:) It didn't matter that it was a familiar song, it was a worshipful experience, feeling His presence for sure:)
Blessings to you today Mrs. Elaine,
katiegfromtennessee
Hey Elaine!:)
I will give her a kiss for ya:):) She is angel baby girl! Luv My Angel!:)
((HUGS)) to you today:)
katiegfromtennessee
"I pray for you a know that you know that you know kind of moment today."
Your prayers were answered for ME, Elaine. I had a similar moment to yours as I taught our women's Sunday School class yesterday. I desperately needed that moment, too!
How gracious and sweet and merciful our loving Heavenly Father. How effective and powerful His Holy Spirit!
Be still and know. Really know. A good word! Oh, and love the David Crowder Band! 🙂