Rev. George Ellis
Pastor’s Corner
The word “calm” suggests a quietness; a settling of the mind. It is a soberness or clear thinking and a peace that should be the heart and mind of every Christian believer. Calm down and think clearly about some things, and we will see things in a different light.
Need I say that we are living in troubling times, anxious times and times of uncertainty; times where the only thing that we can count on and stand on is the sure word of God? Thank our God for the word of God — the Bible, this book that contains the holy scriptures, God’s inspired word that guides us, speaks to us and directs us in the way that we ought to go.
What would we do without the compass of the word of God? Where would we turn if we did not have God’s word to compass us on our Christian journey?
Being calm adds vitality to your life; your blood pressure doesn’t go up so much when you’re calm; it contributes, believe it or not, to our overall health. It causes us to react rationally. Now there are several definitions concerning this word “calm.” The adjective of this word “calm” means “not showing or feeling nervousness, anger or other strong emotions.” In nature the word “calm” means “the absence of wind. “ Also, “To make someone tranquil and quiet; as in “I took him aside and tried to calm him.”
This speaks to us today.
Calm down somebody, clear your minds, settle your thoughts, quiet your fears so that you can think rationally; when natural storms are on the horizon the warning goes out so that the people can prepare; preparation gives you peace of mind; and it also helps you to remain calm; now they tell us that the key to surviving any storm is to stay calm; don’t panic! I’ve tried to train myself so that if something happens of a traumatic experience to steady myself and think on a rational level.
That’s key to survival. When you lose it, you lose control, and when you lose control it makes matters worse. This word speaks to all of us today because we are all living through a storm; personal storms, corporate storms, national storms and it threaten to cause us to forget some things; we forget that there is a God that is in control; we forget, that if God numbers the hairs on our head, and he does, that this means that God cares for us. We forget all that God has already done and the storms he has already brought us through; desperate times calls for desperate measures.
We forget that he who allows storms is ABLE to control and navigate the storm; he speaks through the storm if we will listen; there is a message in every storm; “speak Lord, your servant is listening.” The question we need to ask ourselves is “what message is God trying to get to me through the storm?” what wake-up message is God sending my way?”
Community, every storm has a message in it — remember that!
In 2001 on Sept. 11, thousands of lives were lost in the twin towers in New York City when terrorists struck. It sent a panic all across the United States. But community, we forgot some things then and some of us forgot some things today. The psalmist offers one of the most encouraging psalms in the book of psalms. One that all of us need to read; I read this psalm after 911 and it encourages me today/
The psalmist said, “He that dwell in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, HE is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust (Psalm 91:1,2).”
In the secret place, he refers to a covering or hiding place. It serves as a image for protection. The “Most High and the Almighty” stresses God’s power as sovereign ruler of the world. The psalmist testifies to the benefits of trusting in God. What are they? Peace, serenity, steadiness, joy, happiness, contentment, comfort and CALMNESS. God and His angels guard the believer (vv. 3–13), all day and all night, and the Lord Himself promises protection (vv. 14–16).[1] He says “Thou shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor the arrow that flies by day (vs 5)” … which means we can lay down and sleep all night long in peace.
What calmness we ought to have as a result of verse 5. David said, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for you, Lord, only make me dwell in safety (Ps. 4:8).”
Friends, God and His angels guard the Christian believer, at all times and there’s a hedge built all around them; why do we think, that that stray bullet that came our way didn’t penetrate us? why do we think that that tornado went around us and struck somewhere else? Why do we think, when that traffic light turned green, but something held us back, and at that time an 18-wheeler ran the red light, and if we had moved when we wanted to it would have crashed into the side of our car.
Community, why do we think we got sick and recovered while somebody else got the same sickness and they died? It’s because “He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide UNDER the SHADOW of the ALMIGHTY.” That’s the “calm in the middle of the storm.”
The Rev. George Ellis is the pastor for Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church.