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Listen while you read: "I Will Sing Of My Redeemer"1 (Lyrics)

Psalm 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. (NRSV)

One of my favourite experiences in church is praise and worship at the beginning of each service. Our church worship team plays contemporary songs with concert flair, complete with visual effects and loud beats, which enhances my worship experience. I love it!

Last week, the worship team played "Be still" by Hillsong Worship. In the past, I had found the song encouraging and the lyrics poignant, but I didn't ruminate past these initial impressions. However, on this day, something shifted inside of me as soon as the first words of the song reached my ears:

    Be still and know
    That the Lord is in control
    Be still my soul
    Stand and watch as giants fall

These past few months have been extremely difficult for me healthwise. I have experienced a severe relapse in my convalescence from burnout and depression that has left me feeling emotionally drained, physically weak, and spiritually vulnerable to lies and accusations from the enemy about who I am in Christ. I found myself questioning whether I will ever be able to take part in social interactions or even laugh out loud. I was frightened that I will always be watching others enjoy their lives, while I waste away.

And yet, when I heard the words of this beautiful song, I felt like God was telling me to stop what I was doing — to stop feeling melancholy and afraid — and just be still in His presence.

    I won't be afraid
    If You are here
    You silence all my fear

God assured me that He sees my situation, and He is working in it. He reminded me that when I had faced adversity in the past, He had been there to support and guide me. Every time, He had brought me out of the valley.

God had been in control then, and He was in control now. He is the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I did not need to be afraid.

Hearing this message in the heightened atmosphere of corporate worship instantly comforted me. I felt like the doubts and fears that had slithered into my head were silenced by God's reassurance of His love. Out of nowhere, I had a sudden surge of hope that everything would work out for the best. It was an unfamiliar sensation to experience — and yet, it felt comforting.

    Surely love and mercy
    Your peace and kindness
    Will follow me

I learned an important lesson — for both me and you: we need not search for God's love, mercy, and kindness, for it is always within our reach — in fact, it follows us. It is a gift that God gives us, together with His peace, which transcends all understanding.

All we need to do is stop, be still, and rest in the Lord.

He will take care of the rest.

Prayer: Loving Father, thank You that we can find true rest in the stillness of Your presence. When troubles overwhelm us or we feel doubtful and afraid, help us to remember that You are in control. You will not fail us, nor forsake us. Amen.

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About the author:

Madeline Kalu <madelinetwooney@gmail.com>
Bochum, Germany

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    I will hold you in prayer.


    Hi Madeline,
    Thank you for this testimony of God’s grace.


    Thank you, Madeline, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.


    This was just what I needed to hear today. Thank you for the encouraging words. Appreciated very much.


    Thank you so much for this reminder… stop, be still and rest in the Lord.
    All is well.


    Thank you so much for your very timely message… much appreciated!
    Blessings.


    Dear Madeline,
    Thank you so very much for your devotional today…it was like it was written for me today.


    Awesome my friend. Encouraging also for us all and so happy to read. This knowing it was from you. Praise God. Take care. Sending love and prayers. God bless.


    Thank you, Madeline, for your encouraging testimony and the great reminder that indeed GOD is always there. We need not be afraid.
    Thanks again.


    As always Madeline your words comfort me and encourage me. I pray that you will be healed and know for certain that God will see you through.
    Love, prayers and blessings.


    Peaceful, loving and oh so true, Madeline. How I feel is rarely how I am doing. Feelings are not facts. But the love of God to us, always, is a fact on which we can always rely. Thank you for writing truth for us today.


    It is so true that God is always there. It is often difficult to find stillness in our busy lives, but you are so right that we need to take time to stop and feel his presence. Sending you prayers and wishing you a wonderful, peaceful weekend.


    Thank you for this devotion this morning! Honestly, Madeline, I could have written it. I mean that it is so me. It spoke to me. It encouraged me. It was what I needed to hear. God works in mysterious ways! Be blessed today and keep writing,


    Dear Madeline,
    So sorry to hear you were going through a rough spell. I’m glad you found some hope and encouragement in the praise song. I will pray for you that your recovery will be swift and complete. God bless you.


    Dear Madeline:
    I needed to hear your words of praise to our Lord today. Thank you, my friend, for sharing your insights with all of us. I appreciate them so very much.
    May God bless you with healing that surpasses all your hopes.


    Thank you for your message of being still before the Lord and being so open about your journey. You are so gifted in communicating and gently encouraging us to claim God’s promises and truth. In my Daily Readings for today the last Psalm was Psalm 139 which is always a good reminder of how God helps us. Blessings


    Thank you for sharing your devotional, today, Madeline!
    Isn’t it wonderful that we here in Ontario, Canada, can share with you, so many miles away in Germany.
    May the Lord continue to be your solace and guide. What an amazing God we serve.
    Be encouraged as you encourage others.


    My dear Madeline, I always read your ‘daily notes’ with so much understanding.
    Somehow you touch a familiar cord within me.
    I too am simply tired and weary. I often wonder just what it is that our God still wants me to do, at 90 I find myself not very spritely anymore.
    Blessings.


    Thanks for this message. As I am getting older, I often wonder how I will handle the inevitable issues that accompany my senior years.
    God is faithful and, as you have pointed out, we don’t have to be afraid. I think it is really important that we realize that bad stuff happens to anyone. We aren’t exempt from aging and problems, but God is there within our reach as you said.
    I just hope I remember this. Thanks for the reminder!


    Thank you for your devotional today. I was also in that place of depression 25 years ago. Intellectually we know that we will get better, but we can’t believe it because our emotions are totally in control. It was a difficult and painful time. I wanted to encourage you to let you know that it shall pass. Take care of yourself. Do what needs to be done to help you get better whether that is counseling, medication, rest or all of the above. Blessings to you.
    I have been healthy now for many, many years and I’m very thankful for that.


    Dear Madeline,
    Greetings from the west coast of Canada! I want to thank you for your devotional message this morning. Your words touched me as we have gone through a season of “valleys” this year and I have taken great comfort in God’s direction to “be still and know that I am God”. And coincidentally our congregation sang a “Be Still” song just last Sunday.
    I want to encourage you that your words are most definitely God inspired and appreciated by those of us all over the world who read your devotions.
    I pray that you will be blessed with abundant grace, peace and healing.


    Hi Madeline,
    Your story so resonates with me! God bless you!


    What a wonderful, encouraging message. And one I will keep.
    Music speaks to me and I would love to know where to find that song.


    Dear Madeline:
    I appreciated your lovely email.
    Hope you have a peaceful and warm day.


    My Dear Madeline, You sounded better in this devotional.
    Now you look straight ahead knowing that God is in charge and never let that slip your mind. I sure don’t. I send you much love and prayers.


    Hi Madeline,
    I enjoyed your sharing very much.
    Thank you for these thoughts.
    Blessings,
    (Quebec, Canada)


    Thank you so much for these comforting words and the reminder that God is near and has not forsaken us as I also battle feelings of depression and worthlessness.
    May God continue to bless you and make you a blessing.


    Dear Madeline,
    Thank you for the very powerful reminder that God is always there and working on us, we just have to tune in to it. I am glad that song in church reminded you – God working for you. May you continue to ignore the negative thoughts and focus on God.


    Dear Madeline,
    Thank you so much for this wonderful devotional. For many years we had a wonderful minister Who never missed a Sunday reminding us that God is in Control. How often we need to be reminded, in family situations, in health trials and when we look at the state of the world. Sadly, our minister is no longer with us. He preached almost to the end.
    We seem to suffer from some of the same conditions.


    Most, if not all, of us would crash and burn if we did not do that. I am a doer, always been athletic, always capable of multi-tasking, full of ideas and plans, places to go, people to see. But I learned that all of it was futile unless I waited daily on the Lord to await His word, His instructions to me. Sometimes I learned the hard way. God is never in a rush. Never late, never early. In His time. Do you know that song? In His time, in His time, He makes all things beautiful is His time.


    Dear Madeline,
    You and I are different. Loud music is for you. I cannot be with loud music especially drums. I had to go to a different church in my recent years because loudness of music rips my brain to shatters. The smaller, no drums church I now attend has more hymn-singing but no drums. I so thankful to God that there is such a place. It has violins, banjos, guitars, etc., but no drums.
    God’s blessings

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