together with
Happy Tuesday, {{first_name| everyone}}!
The older I get, the more of life feels genuinely out of my hands. That’s either terrifying or freeing, depending on who is actually in charge.
If you missed yesterday’s email, you can read it here.
In today’s email…
📖 The scene of roaring waters and raging nations that "be still" is spoken into
🙏 A question about where you’re straining to stay in control
🧠 A trivia question about the city of God
MEMORIZE 🧠
Be _____, and ____ that I am ___. I will be _______ among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10
Want to memorize in your favorite translation? Try our new iPhone app here.
CONTEXT 📕
As we become still this week and meditate on verse 10, it’s also a good idea for us to consider Psalm 46 as a whole.
There are 3 sections to this song, separated by the word ‘Selah’, indicating a pause.
But Psalm 46 by the Sons of Korah is more than a beautiful song - it’s a declaration of victory!
From the opening line, this psalm makes it clear that it is testifying about one thing:
The God who calms stormy situations.
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
The lyrics go on to explore raging nations, the brokenness of the world, and the daily struggles of God’s people.
Yet this whirlwind is contrasted quite radically by the Lord’s presence that is described as a river of gladness (v4) and an end to violence (v9).
Our memory verse is nestled right near the end of all of that, and it’s followed by only one more line of surrender:
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
All of these surrounding verses explain the reason why we can ‘be still and know’.
So what does this practically look like?
Consider my family’s motto as one example: “We will live with open hands and open ears.”
We apply this to finances, work, relationships, goals, health, and every other area of life.
Instead of gripping things with clenched fists, we aim to hold it loosely and listen for the Spirit’s guidance on what to do. It is relinquishing control and letting him lead.
APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃♂
📖 Read Psalm 46:8-11
As you read these verses, notice the 1) chaos of the world, 2) glory of God, and 3) stillness he invites you into.
Then consider the bridge from1 to 3?
Beholding the glory of God is what ushers in the stillness.
👂️ Reflect
What might it look like to give over control to God in one area of your life that feels stormy right now?
🙏 Pray
Father, I open my palms in humble surrender. Thank you that I know that you can be trusted to take care of everything - much better than I could. Your ways are higher than my own. Help me to let go of control and trust in your perfect guidance. Amen.
TRIVIA 📊
Click one of the options below to choose your answer. Let’s see how you do…
In Psalm 46, what is said to make glad the city of God?
ANSWER KEY ✅
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
As you continue to work through this memory verse, may God be exalted in every detail of your day-to-day life!
Best,
The Malachi Daily team 🙏
Today’s Contributors
Eljoh is a South African writer, editor, and artist with a Master’s in Practical Theology. She creates resources to help believers of all ages abide in Christ and grow in faith. Explore more free resources and creative tools at Vine Creative Studio.
Kieran is a husband and father living in NJ. In addition to Malachi Daily, he writes a personal newsletter about the intersection of faith, fatherhood and entrepreneurship.
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Try our iPhone app 📱
Want to go even deeper with memorizing Scripture and learning its context?
Our iPhone app, Within allows you to:
Memorize 1 verse every single week and learn its context through daily devotionals you can read (or listen to)
Memorize any verse you want in your favorite bible translation
Store all of your previously memorized verses in one place (and review them regularly with interactive games)
And much more!
What are the differences between Within and Malachi Daily?
Malachi Daily 📧 | Within 📱 | |
|---|---|---|
Type of tool | Email newsletter | iOS mobile app |
Cost | Free | 7-day free trial, then $5.99/mo or $49.99/year |
# of verses | 4 verses per month as a community | 4 verses per month as a community + unlimited for any verse you want |
Who chooses the verse | We choose | We choose AND you can memorize any verse you want, anytime |
Bible translation(s) | ESV | ESV, NIV, NLT, KJV, and NASB |
Reviewing previously memorized verses | You do this on your own | Use the built-in memory bank |
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