There’s a Snake in the Attic!

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10 (WEB)

This Psalm was written to encourage Israel to quit fighting. God told His people to quit striving against circumstances and trust Him.

“Be still.”

There is an imperative call to obedience in this verse. This call is for God’s honor and for the people’s own good.

Read the entire Psalm to understand that God assures His people that no matter how the surrounding nations may threaten, they cannot defeat Him. He encourages His children to release their worries and fears.

The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

Psalm 46:11 (CSB)

This is for believers today, as well.

As Christians, we understand that quickly following God’s guidance improves our lives. Hesitation can be disastrous. It’s not about material or physical gain, but obeying God helps us remain on the right spiritual path. This leads to a better relationship with our Father, which is what truly matters.

Obedience helps us enjoy the peace that is beyond our understanding.

You know. When it’s dark all around but you still sense that guiding Presence. The Spirit is right there.

Someone close to me recently had an experience that was so hard for her to deal with. Her husband passed away over twenty years before. She struggles with the loneliness and the aloneness that comes with widowhood. There is no helping hand to share burdens and fears with. She had to rely on others and her abilities to deal with the tasks of daily living.

On one particular day she called to tell us that a snake was dangling from her air conditioner vent over her dining table. Can you imagine?

I would have been beyond horrified. I can understand any amount of terror, depression and helplessness that she must have felt.

When her neighbor tried to catch the snake, it quickly retreated back into the ceiling. That created whole new fears.

• What if it came back and actually made it into the house?
• What if there were more snakes?
• What if they were in the house?
• What if she didn’t notice one dangling from the ceiling again? Could it fall on her?

Her terror was very real.

Several days later my husband created a clever remedy to prevent a repeat performance. His little invention has given her great relief.

When we face practical fears like that how do we manage to fully obey God’s Word?

Be still,

There are times when being still can be difficult. But God wants us to remember that even when we find it hard to pray or read the Bible, we can always trust Him. He knows our weaknesses.

Ask God to help you trust and obey Him. Ask Him for strength to be fearless. Seek wisdom and peace; He will provide.

I have experienced the fear of violence, illness, and a seriously ill child. I know what true fear feels like. At times, I didn’t know how to be a fearless believer, but He reminds me…

know that I am God…

He has saved us and called us with a holy calling,

 not according to our works,

 but according to his own purpose and grace,

which was given to us in Christ Jesus

before time began.

2 Timothy 1:9 (CSB)

Open your Bible and read about the fright faced by the disciples when Jesus died. They just knew they were next. They felt exposed and confused. They wanted to believe. They thought they believed. But now everything was upside down.

One of the comforting passages we read is when Jesus comforted the disciples about what they faced.

Matthew 11:28-30

And here is how we know we can get beyond our fear in the dark…

because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world.

This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.

1 John 5:4 (CSB)

How beautiful are the feet of those who share the Good News.

Isaiah 52:7 (Paraphrased)

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.