Stress
The fourth instruction by David here is that we would “be still”. So often in our stress we run from God and try to run from our problems. My mother used to tell me, “No matter where you go, there you are.” What she meant was that you cannot run from your problems; they will follow you. Stop trying to run away from stress and start looking to God for answers instead.
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
God wants us to stop running all the time and just be still so that we can see Him do what needs to be done. You have only caused more issues by yourconstant plotting and moving during times of stress, but faith in God willsolve the problem. Stop doing it on yourown and look to God, know that He is God and not you, then He will be exaltedand work on your behalf.
The fifth step that we see here is that during these times we should “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness”. What would those be? It simply means to do what we know is right during times of stress. The flesh will try to get us to sin, accuse God, run away or remove ourselves from closeness with God. David says, however, that we should simply do what we know is right. In times of stress, that is a great sacrifice because everything that is in us wants to do the opposite. Some might call it character or discipline but God calls it a sacrifice here. The flesh and its desires are what you are sacrificing, and instead, you are living to God.
Finally, we are told to “put your trust in the LORD”. This is kind of a summary of all the instruction that we have been given. Simply put, we are not to take matters into our own hands. We are to let God do what He will and trust that He always does right. I don’t have to figure it out and make it work; I have to trust God and allow Him to do what He desires. God will work all things out for our good and for His glory if we wait on Him. There is no doubt that through my life I have created countless problems because I trusted in myself rather than in God. I so wish that I could go back and change that, but of course I cannot, and neither can you. Focusing on how we have messed it up before is not helpful except in learning the lesson not to do it that way again.
