Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Wait for the Lord;
     be strong and take heart
     and wait for the Lord.
(Psalm 27:14 (NIV))

What do you do when you are waiting?

Do you start off pacing and fidgeting? Are you anxious and impatient? Are you restless and on edge?

Most people start off like that!

Are you like most people?

How long does it take for you to settle down and sit quietly? How long does it take for you to relax and surrender to the task at hand? How long does it take for you to do what God asks of us?

“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 (ESV))

Did you notice that in both passages there is a benefit for the action. We will be given strength. We will be given wisdom. When we receive these, God is exalted, for He has another person who will proclaim His glory. In order to get His strength and His wisdom, we must be willing to be patient and wait. We must be willing to be still in His presence.

Are you willing to be still?

Are you willing to wait?

If you are like me, it is a constant struggle. Human nature wants instant gratification. It wants action. We must learn to overcome our sinful human nature if we desire to be still in His presence and wait for the Lord.

Have you become good at waiting?

Copyright 1998 – 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:10 (NIV))

Many people in the church today have not been prepared for what is coming. Far too many people have been told that following Jesus is easy and everything in your life will begin to get better if you follow Jesus. I need to clarify something at this point and admit that God will begin to work things for your good when you start to follow Jesus. These things are probably best explained as a fresh manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit in your life.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV))

When these things are present in your life, people notice. They will be drawn to you because they see something that they desire in their own lives. This is the prime opportunity to share the Gospel, to share the source of your love, joy, and peace.

Sadly, when this happens, the enemy also takes notice. He will muster all resources to keep you from sharing the Gospel, for he knows that you have a powerful witness that must be stopped.

Hold fast!

Stand firm!

Do not allow the threat of ridicule or persecution keep you from following Jesus.

We are all familiar with the accounts of what the disciples and the early church had to endure. We may never have to face the same things that the disciples and the early Christians had to face, but what if we do? Are you prepared to completely place your faith in Jesus no matter the worldly consequences? Are you willing to stand firm and tell the world that you believe in Jesus and nothing that they can do will make you change your mind?

Are you prepared for what you may face?

Copyright 1998 – 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Blessed are the peacemakers,
     for they will be called children of God.
(Matthew 5:19 (NIV))

What do you think are the characteristics of a peacemaker?

Could they have anything to do with what we see in this passage?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
(Galatians 5:22-23a (ESV))

Personally, I strive to achieve these characteristics. I know that I don’t walk perfectly in these, but that is my goal. I long to mature into what we are all called to be. I long to be recognized as a follower of Jesus in all things that I do.

This brings me to the last few words used to describe the fruit of the Spirit.

against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:23b (ESV))

If we profess a faith in Jesus and desire to walk in His light, then we are walking in God’s Law and in His peace. We reflect Jesus to a dark and sinful world. We bring the peace of Jesus into that world. We reflect the peace that passes all understanding.

I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a peacemaker to me.

Are you walking in His light and in His peace?

Do the people around you see that in your life?

Do they ask you what makes you different from everyone else?

Do they call you a peacemaker?

What are you called?

Copyright 1998 – 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
     he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
     he enables me to tread on the heights.
(Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV))

What do you think of when you think of strength?

Do you think of your weaknesses as strength?

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV))

To clarify, Godly strength is the realization that you are a weak and sinful creation incapable of anything on your own. Godly strength is the realization that you must rely on His strength every moment of every day.

In other words, we must be weak so that His strength can be made manifest in our lives. Once we realize our weakness, something else happens. We are no longer filled with pride. We no longer desire to be the center of our own little world. We start to see others as God sees them. Dare I say that we start to become pure of heart.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
     for they will see God.
(Matthew 5:8 (NIV))

Have you ever stopped to realize that relying on His strength through your humility leads to what God truly desires of us? God wants a relationship with us. That is a relationship of Creator and creation. Yet, it is even more than that. It is a relationship of Father and child. He is our Abba Father! We can run to Him as a two year old runs to their earthly father. Through this relationship, grace is freely given. His strength is there to help us through the hard times. His love is there unconditionally.

Do you rely on the Lord’s strength?

Copyright 1998 – 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

It is better to take refuge in the LORD
     than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
     than to trust in princes.
(Psalms 118:8-9 (NIV))

It seems like the world is looking for someone to save us from all of the issues that we now face, and we do face countless issues that seem to be ever increasing.

The world is facing economic uncertainty. Many regions are facing political uncertainty. The whole world is facing escalated violence due to race, religion, crime, and sheer evil. In this country, we are facing issues that seem to be polarizing us as a nation. We are choosing sides due to various different reasons and nobody is willing to meet in the middle and discuss the differences. We are placing our trust in men instead of relying on God for guidance. And, in the process, we are destroying ourselves.

We need to turn to God. We need to place our trust in Him.

Man will fail.

Take a look at the history of humanity.

We failed miserably in the Garden of Eden. We turned to murder within one generation. We were so sinful, that God chose to start over through one man, Noah, and his family. We tried to elevate ourselves to God at the tower of Babel. We kill each other over money and power. We will kill each other over religion. We will kill each other over race. It was God’s plan, carried out by human hands, to have His Son, Jesus, die for our sins.

No human is perfect. No prince of this world can save us. In fact, the Bible refers to Satan as the prince of the air. We turned over authority to him in the Garden of Eden. Satan cannot save us. Man cannot save us, no matter how the media may spin it.

Don’t trust the spin. Don’t trust the princes. Don’t trust the men who claim to know how to save us.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
     but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
(Psalm 20:7 (NIV))

Where do you place your trust?

Where do you find your refuge?

Copyright 1998 – 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV))

Frustration!

Have you ever been in a situation in which nothing seemed to ever go right?

You think you know how things should go, or at least how they should go according to your plans and desires. If you are like me, you have probably had times when you simply want to throw your hands up in desperation. You simply want to quit.

Think about that.

Are these the situations in which you feel you are doing the wrong thing and going in the wrong direction. Perhaps these are the times when you feel that you are under attack by Satan because you are doing what you are supposed to do? Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference. This causes frustration.

Do you have times when you feel that you are simply going through the motions and that what you do will have absolutely no impact or effect on how things will turn out? This causes frustration.

Did Jesus ever get frustrated?

The time that He overturned the tables of the money changers at the temple may come to mind. John 2:15 indicates that this was not frustration, but anger. Jesus hated what they had done inside the temple.

According to Merriam-Webster, “frustration” is a state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs. In other words, frustration is brought about by personal needs and an anxious desire to see them fulfilled when they are not being fulfilled.

I almost dare to say that frustration can be looked upon as a sin, for many times it has its roots in sinful pride. Perhaps that is why Paul tells us “Do not be anxious about anything,” for it is a fine line between a righteous desire and sinful pride. It is a fine line that is so easy to cross even when you are trying to be faithful.

With that in mind, pray for patience!

Be thankful for what God has done in your life, and be thankful that He is not finished with you yet.

Keep your eyes focused on the Lord! Your heart and mind will follow.

Is your heart and mind fully guarded?

Copyright 1998 – 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16 (NIV))

Do you possess this kind of confidence?

I’m going to ask you a very simple question, but I don’t want you to give yourself a very simple answer.

Why do you possess this kind of confidence?

I could spend a lot of time reflecting on the reasons, but I think that it is more important for you to come to the knowledge yourself, for each of us have had a different path to faith. Each of us have had a different path to the realization that Jesus is Lord. We all reflect on and understand the same truths, but each of us has walked a different path in coming to that realization.

It all starts here.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
(Romans 3:23 (NIV))

Yes, that means you!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
(John 3:16-18 (NIV))

God’s grace came down to us If you have professed a faith in Jesus, then you should be confident in approaching His throne because of your faith.

Are you confident in your faith?

Copyright 1998 – 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
(1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV))

When you read these words, do you feel that they were written for you?

If you profess a faith in Jesus, they were!

With the current state of events in the Middle East, think about these words.

With the prices constantly on the rise, think about these words.

When you hear of wars and rumors or wars, think about these words.

There is so much going on in this world, that I have stopped trying to stay aware of it all. It’s impossible. I do know one thing. Everything transpiring in the world today should make us cling to these words. They tell us how to stay faithful as we watch things escalating and converging as God’s timeline is unfolding right before our eyes.

Are you watching?

Are you on your guard?

Are you standing firm?

Are you courageous and strong?

As things continue to unfold, take heart. Those who profess a faith in Jesus have been given a promise. We have been given hope when the world tells us that there is no hope. Our hope is firmly rooted in Jesus!

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
(Luke 21:28 (NIV))

Are you standing firm in your faith?

Copyright 1998 – 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
(Colossians 3:2 (NIV))

What do you think about most of the time?

Are you worried about finances? Is it health concerns that have you in thought? Is there a loved one who has strayed and you desire for them to return? Do you find yourself worried about the state of our politicians and their direction or lack of direction?

If you are like me, there are countless things that can distract you from thinking about what you should contemplate.

Don’t get me wrong!

We need to think of these things. We can’t focus only on heaven and ignore the world in which we live. Have you ever heard someone described as being so heaven minded that they are no earthly good. Jesus called us to be salt and light to the world. He did not call us to accept Him and shut out the world.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
(Matthew 5:13 (NIV))

We cannot turn our backs on the things of this world!

We must be a visible part of this world. We must shine. We must bring salt. We need to do it in a manner that brings glory to God and not in a manner that brings worry to ourselves. We must show people that they too have an opportunity for hope. We must set our minds on Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we become active members of the Body of Christ.

Each member of a body has a function. We must perform our function so that others may see Jesus. We are not to shut ourselves up and ignore the world. What good do we do when this happens? What good will our salt be to the people around us?

What is your mind set on?

Copyright 1998 – 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
(2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV))

I want you to read those words again.

I had to stop and read them again, and I was surprised at how much that I have taken these words for granted. These words jolted me back to reality.

I want you to be honest with yourself. Have the events of the world started to have an impact on your faith? Do you look upon what is going on and think that there is no way out of the problems that we see? Have you begun to feel the pressure? Have you felt despair and abandonment? Have you come close to having your faith destroyed by the events in this world?

It is so easy to feel all of these if you take your eyes off of Jesus.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33 (NIV))

Jesus gives us relief when we are pressed. He gives us hope when we are perplexed. He gives us someplace to take refuge when we are persecuted. He will not allow the enemy to destroy us.

If Jesus does all of this for us, then why do we still find ourselves fearful of what the world, and the enemy, throws at us?

Perhaps it is due to worldly examples that we have had with respect to trust. I know that it is difficult to trust in anything if you have had trust broken in the past. It is difficult to comprehend the unfailing love of Jesus if your experience with love has been bad. It is difficult to understand that Jesus will not abandon you if you have had people walk out on you in the past.

Sadly enough, far too many people find themselves in one, if not all, of these types of situations. Life can throw things at us that are difficult to comprehend and as a result, many project their worldly experiences and expectations upon Jesus. Let’s face reality. We are all human and are all sinners. Even those of us who have been fortunate to be around people whom they can trust, things happen. I suppose that many people unknowingly live by the motto, “Trust but verify.”

Jesus is not like that. He will never let you down. He will never abandon you. He is the Good Shepherd.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
(John 3:16-17 (NIV))

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
(1 John 4:18 (NIV))

There is no fear for those who trust in Jesus!

We are not crushed, in despair, abandoned or destroyed!

Copyright 1998 – 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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