Skip to main content

Be Still

             He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

Exalt [c. 1400, "to give off vapor, flow out," from Old French exalter (10c.), from Latin exaltare "raise, elevate," from ex "out, out of, from within" (see ex-) + altus "high," literally "grown tall," from PIE root *al- (2) "to grow, nourish." From early 15c. as "to elevate in rank or honor;" also "glorify, praise, extol."] (Exalt )- Etymology, Origin & Meaning

                What does it mean to exalt God? What does it mean to worship Him? I suspect we all have some vague, high-level notion, but what is your “not Sunday School,” real answer? Yes, I’m stuck on a definition again. I’ve included the etymology, but what do those meanings mean? For some folks, worship means singing praise songs.  It’s raising hands and swaying with the music. Why is that worship? How does it exalt God?

                Some people worship out in nature or are moved to worship because of majestic art or architecture.  Psalm 8 reflects this idea. Again, why is this worship? It seems as if worship is tied to heightened emotions. Referring back to the etymology, the idea of giving off vapor. I can’t help but think of all the “vapor” that is given off by fans of some celebrity: the screaming, the jumping, etc. But if exaltation is nothing more than emotional displays, then those of us who aren’t given to public displays of emotion are in trouble.

                The thing that I suspect may be behind all those forms of worship, what makes them worship, and what exalts God is telling the truth about God. There can be emotion involved, but it’s not the only possibility. Exalting God also includes obeying God, appreciating His handiwork, confessing our sins and seeking forgiveness, serving others, using gifts, money, or skills in His service, meditating on His Word, evangelism, telling others the truth, loving our neighbors as ourselves, and telling ourselves the truth about God. It’s not about making God greater than what He is. It’s about recognizing that He is greater than we are and responding accordingly in whatever means is appropriate at the time. Quite often, that probably involves simply being still and knowing that He is God.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more