A Minute of Hope from the Psalmsعينة

Selah, a Command to Pause—Psalm 46:7

To the God who says, "Selah":

There’s a reason why,
In the architecture of Your perfect poetry,
You ordained that this foundation of a phrase
Should bear repeating:

“The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah” (Psalm 46:7 and 11)

Pausing at Your command
to reflect on words that should stop me in my tracks every day
(but, often enough, do not),
I will carry the truth of Your presence
and Your protection
into a day that calls for worship.

Lord of hosts, God of incomparable power;
God of Jacob, the One Who knows me by name:

You are present
in the Words of Truth spoken aloud
and in the joyful gatherings of family and friends–
evidence of Your delight in our pleasure.

God of the Angel Armies,
God of the Old Testament Patriarchs,
God of Middle-Aged Mothers
who grow weary and fall short:

Thank you that Who-You-Are
redeems who-I-am.

Thank you for the command to pause–
even in the midst of this busy day.

Selah