Be not still

O God, do not keep silent; 

be not quiet, O God, be not still.                Psalm 83.1

The psalmist is crying out to God, he is entreating God to be active. God’s precious and cherished people are being threatened. The nations have conspired against God’s people.

“Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.”(v4) 

The psalmist sees the nations conspiring against Israel as with one mind. He exhorts God to act, and to act against them:

Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, 

like chaff before the wind. 

As fire consumes the forest 

or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, 

so pursue them with your tempest 

and terrify them with your storm.    (vv 13,14)

I see direct parallels in the world today. It is as if the nations are conspiring against Israel, God’s chosen people. The world does not seem to be aware that it is challenging Almighty God. And the deceits of many human initiatives would appear to be growing and gaining power. Have people’s minds – sane, intelligent folk of the western world – been deceived? It would seem so! Yet God is greater. The psalmist entreated Him all those years ago for the situation of his day. I entreat the same faithful, unwavering God in the troubled times I live in.

Lord God, Mighty Redeemer,

My concern is similar to that of the psalmist. Your chosen land of Israel is under attack, seemingly by most of the world. And, the majority would appear to be deeply deceived. I cry out to You, Lord God, to expose the deception and bring a true awareness to world leaders who are acting so foolishly at this present time. All over the world the actions of society seem to be getting more out of hand. I entreat You to act and be not still, and I ask this in Jesus’ name.      Amen.