Stop Striving
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor
“Stop striving and know that I am God.”
—Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
There are times in our life when God calls us to work toward something. There are also times in our life when we realize we have done all we can, and God calls us to rest so that He can work.
When the Israelite army marched around the walls of Jericho, they did so obediently, but there was nothing in their marching that caused the walls to fall down. That work was God’s and God’s alone. Even their shouting could not have been a sound loud enough to cause the stone masonry to crumble to bits.
Sometimes, God wants it to be clear that He is the one who has done this. He wants us to stand back and say, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23 ESV).
This is when we look to Him. This is when we rest from our work. We’ve done all we can, to no avail. This is when, hopefully, we realize that it feels good to rest.
My mother used to love to quote the NASB’s rendering of Psalm 46:10: “Stop striving and know that I am God.”
Why should we stop striving? Because striving is stressful. It causes frustration when we don’t see the change we long for, and causes others to become frustrated with us. Yes, take steps of faith, but a continued, sensitive walk with God will alert us when it is time to cease from our labors and rest.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul asks this question in Galatians 3:3 (NIV): “After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?”
Paul is saying the standard was set in the outset. If God initiates something, He wants to be the power behind it from beginning to end.
Have you been striving and wondering why nothing has come of your efforts? Perhaps is it time to rest. That may not mean idleness. It may mean letting the issue rest while you attend to the other things He has given you to do. There is always much to be done in His kingdom. Or maybe, it is truly a time of stillness. A time of preparation and drawing near. Setting the foundation in your spirit for what lies ahead.
Tune out the loud, clamoring voices of this world and tune into God. Learn to hear His voice.
Let’s Pray: Dear God, I ask you to show me if I have been striving, and if you are calling me to rest. I ask You to be the power behind the work You’ve begun, knowing that You will be faithful to complete it. Most of all, let me hear Your voice and prepare me for the next steps. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “Be Still and Know” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children.
Aubrey lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. She’s busy keeping the home, caring for her family, doing research for and writing her books.
Aubrey enjoys music and is involved with the worship ministry at her church as well as a German choral group. She also plays gigs occasionally with friends as a singer and acoustic guitarist. After all that, she finds time to sketch, craft, and hike.
She is a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats.
Aubrey has a special heart for those who struggle with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD.
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Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
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