I'm thinking of two things this morning, as we get ready to take Steve's parents on a tour of wine country (well, three things, actually...I'm also praying for sun!)
The first is the word "Selah." It pops up in the Psalms quite often. It's a tough word to translate from the Hebrew, but it means something to the effect of "stop and listen," or "let those with eyes see and with ears hear." It indicates a pause, a time of reflection. And perhaps an openness to something God might want to impart to us from the words we've just read or heard.
Psalm 111 isn't one that specifically suggests a Selah moment, but I took one this morning. It seemed called for. The words about all God has done and all He's doing, along with this pithy maxim: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding." That seemed worth thinking about. My concept of fearing the Lord is different than some, perhaps. I've never worried that God was going to strike me down if I disobeyed, but rather that I'd miss out--on His guidance, His plan for my life, the things He created me for. So I try to begin my decisions with Him, allowing that my "understanding" of a situation might need some adjusting :)
As I was selah-ing, I thought of this from the prophet Habakkuk:
"Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
If God gives you a vision, write it down. I was surprised recently, as I read through an old journal trying to figure out a chronology of something for my book, to see how many things I'd forgotten, things I'd prayed for that have happened since then. Now granted, several things I wrote down worked out in ENTIRELY different ways than what I expected. But every single time, God's way has been better.
Stop. Listen. Write down the vision. (Then pray for a sunny afternoon for my vistiting in-laws!!!) :)
Need music to write to? Here you go.
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3 comments:
I've always struggled with that concept of fearing the Lord, but I really like your interpretation of that being not wanting to miss out on His plan, wisdom, guidance, etc...
Selah-ing ... giggle.
I agree with Abby ... I like your interpretation of "fearing".
I compare it to the way we respect our earthly fathers for their authority and wisdom to guide us to or away from things, people or situations that will either help or harm us. Of course, I NEVER, EVER strayed into anything that caused a need for correction--WINK!
I love the idea of selahing & how you explained fear which is one concept I've never understood.
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