I had my own plans today. I wanted to keep looking back through old poems and songs and continue to create music. But as soon as I started, it wasn’t right. I knew it in my spirit. I knew my motive wasn’t right, and I finally did what I should’ve done in the first place: ask God. As soon as I asked Him, I knew that I was being told to write something new. As I’ve mentioned in recent posts, I’ve been reading through the Old Testament, and I’ve currently been in the prophets. All of them have the same overarching message to Israel and Judah: “Return to the Lord God.” They fell into the sin of idolatry and were often compared to being adulteresses. They were unfaithful to the one true God and sought other man-made gods and nations. All of these books and stories have been passed down to us so that we would learn from them (1 Corinthians 10). But bluntly stated, we haven’t. Our idols may not look exactly the same, but we have plenty of them. James’ words in James 4:1-10 are reminiscent of the prophets words to Israel and Judah:

“What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (Bold words for emphasis)

James wrote this to believers in the church. Specifically, he wrote it to Jewish believers who had been scattered amongst the nations (James 1:1). Sound familiar? I know I’m guilty of befriending the world. As much as I’ve tried to fight it my whole life, I still seek man’s approval. Even when I genuinely want to write something or create something for the Lord, there is still a part of me that wants to know what people think. American culture has made that even more difficult with our electronic devices and social media. It feels impossible to balance it all out and remain in right-standing with God. The Lord deserves everything we have to give because He gave it all for us. Our faithfulness cannot be wavering if we are to be the bride He desires us to be. As James instructed, the church needs to humble itself and mourn for our unfaithfulness.

In response to the Lord telling me to write something new, I wrote a poem called “Be Still and Know.”

“Be still and know Me;
Know My peace, know My rest.
Stop running around.
Slow that pumping in your chest.
This world is full of idols
To entrap and ensnare.
Some may seem innocent,
But it’s still an affair.”

Harlotry, idolatry, adultery
Committed against my King.
My covenant should be with You alone,
But I’ve made the world’s voice my everything.

Nakedness exposed,
You uncover the ugly truth
That I’ve sought man’s approval
Ever since my youth.

Temporary joy,
Words tickle my ears.
Flattery inflates what’s already inside:
My sin of pride.

Like ancient Israel, I’ve fallen into idolatry
Forgetting what my King has done for me.
I deserve to be exiled from His throne,
But instead, My forgiving Father calls me home:

“Be still and know Me.
Obey My commands.
Know My everlasting truth.
I’ll lead you to the Promised Land.
The world will hate you if you follow Me,
But your crown is for eternity.
My sacrifice is worth it all
So let your idols fall.
You are My bride,
My beloved one,
Return faithfully to Me
So you can behold My majesty and glory.”

His words wash over my shame,
Cleansing me from within.
He gives me a new name,
“Redeemed Daughter,” He has spoken.

I take off my ring,
And hurl it at the world,
Divorcing myself from its sin
So that I can become whole with my Beloved again.

Bride of Christ, do not tarry;
Do not wait!
Repent from your idols or face your fate.
Learn from His Word;
Remember His rage.
He is a jealous God who no one can tame.
Return with a whole heart or be cast away.
For He doesn’t want second-hand praise from those who go astray.
Be hot or cold;
Make your choice today.
Be still and know:
He won’t delay.

~~~

Here is a song version of the poem: Be Still and Know

© Lauren Demuth