By Greg Swinney
Several international students were traveling together to the Rocky Mountains for a weekend excursion during their university”s fall break. In preparation for the trip, they read travel magazines and browsed websites that described the grandeur of the mountains. Inside the church van, the international students asked their American friends about the elevation, climate, and vegetation of the Rockies. The excitement was contagious as the van motored west.
As the van crested a small hill, the students got their first glimpse of the mountains in the distance. They grabbed their cameras and noisy conversations stopped. Most students were overcome with a spirit of quiet awe and wonder.
We may experience similar feelings as we gather around the Communion table today. We”ve read meaningful Scripture passages and we”ve talked about the spiritual significance of this sacred meal. Seeing the Lord”s Supper from a distance helps us appreciate the mystery of the crucifixion of Christ. In reality, the closer we get to the sacrifice of Jesus, the more we are driven to respond in awestruck silence. The table that represents his broken body and the shed blood openly displays the grandeur of God”s unconditional love through the gift of his Son. As Psalm 46:10 advises, “Be still and know that I am God.”
The sacrifice of Jesus is before us today. It”s no longer at a distance. It”s up close and personal. As you respond in quietness and humility, would you invite the Lord to impress upon your heart the height of his love for you? Would you ask him to help you comprehend the grandeur of his majestic grace? Most of all, take some time to humbly “be still and know that he is God.”
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Greg Swinney serves as ministry facilitator with Crossroads International Student Ministries, Kearney, Nebraska.
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God’s love is not “unconditional.” The promises of all of God’s covenants with men have been conditional.
The Covenant with Men, conditional on “doing what is right”. (Genesis 4:7)
The Abrahamic Covenant, conditional on Abraham and his descendants keeping God’s requirements, commands, decrees and laws. (Genesis 26:5)
The Old Covenant, conditional on Israel keeping the 613 laws of Moses. (Deuteronomy 28)
The New Covenant , conditional on faith and obedience to the gospel and Christlikeness. (Romans 1:16)
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God” is not about peaceful walking in the mountains or silence during communion but about trusting in the Lord to destroy one’s enemies. Why does this author take the verse out of context?
Psalms 46:7 Â Â The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Â Â Â Â Selah
Psalms 46:8 Â Â Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalms 46:11 Â Â The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Â Â Â Â Selah
God’s love is not some new age religious warm fuzzy feeling but something one covenantally experiences in the form of forgiveness of sins provided one is faithful to their covenant.