Have your days been stressful? Do your days seem filled with pressures and obligations? Are you burdened with problems which seem to have no solution? Do you seem to have too many deadlines to meet? Do you find that the days are just to short to get everything done that must be done? I have had these stressful experiences and I imagine that most of you have as well. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the urgent issues of life that we get overwhelmed and fail to sense or acknowledge the presence of God's Spirit in our lives. But He is always there to give us the guidance, strength, and peace that we need. This hymn is one of my favorites and it reminds me that He is faithful and always there to help - I just need to be still and let Him handle the stress and pressures in my life. "Be Still My Soul" was a popular revival hymn that was written by Katharine von Schlegel (1697 - 1768) and translated into English by Jane L. Borthwick (1813-1897). The music was composed by Jean Sibelius from his music 'Finlandia.' It is said to have been a favorite of Eric Liddell, the athlete who became famous for refusing to run in the Olympics on the Sabbath. He later became a missionary in China and was imprisoned during World War II. He is said to have taught this hymn to others in prison where he eventually died of a brain tumor. On a personal note, I am actually rewriting this Timeless Hymn this hymn in March. My wife has a very important medical appointment scheduled for tomorrow with a specialist and they are now calling for a plowable snow. I admit that I have been stressed about getting her there as well as how we will clear our driveway since both of us have heart conditions and are not supposed to shovel. And we can't find anybody to do it for us, even if we pay them. The stress of this has also created physical problems for me. But as I've prepared this blog the words of this hymn have again spoken to me and my present need. I know I need to give the problems to him and be still before Him. It will be interesting when this is published in May to look back and see how He worked all of this out. Scripture tells us in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." So if you are also stressed today, take time to sing this hymn, reflect upon the words and recognize that God is closer than you think and He is ready to handle your stress. Just be still and let Him do so. P.S. - Incidentally, I took my own advice. After writing this blog I was still before the Lord and left my concerns in His hands. Later the specialist called and rescheduled my wife's appointment due to the predicted snow and then the major snowstorm never even hit our area. So why do I worry and fret?
1. Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
2. Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
3. Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
4. Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Listen to it here. LISTEN
1 comment:
I just read this on May 27th; the words were just what I needed to hear - nice and slowly - because I am going through a "storm" of physical symptoms in my body. Your comments were encouraging too, Barry. Thank you.
Gloria
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