Salt and Light

This week's passage Psalm 46:1-11

Be still and know that I am God

As women we tend to believe that when problems arise, we need to roll up our sleeves and solve them, placing the responsibility for the success and the happiness of ourselves and our families on our shoulders. The truth is though – sometimes our problems are much bigger than us and we can send ourselves down a path of destruction trying to grasp at any “solution” that comes our way.

As believers in Christ, we must remember to seek God first, in all situations, trusting Him to guide us.  Psalm 46:1-10 is a beautiful reminder to us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The Psalm ends with a proclamation of God’s faithful protection of us, that He is with us and that he truly cares for us.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah” (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

How can we trust in Him if we don't know Him? What can we do to understand who He is what this really means for us, right now in our lives?

Study the Word

The only way to know who God is and be able to trust in His promises is to study scripture on a regular basis.  The thing that I have found from reading my bible is that no matter the current situation, the chapter or verse I am reading will address it.  That amazes me!  How is it that scripture seems to address any issue that is on my mind at just the right moment? Maybe I thought it was a coincidence the first time it happened, but this phenomenon has repeated itself so many times now I know that it can only be God.

Remember that Scripture Interprets Scripture

Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who lived among us and died on the cross for our sins, then was raised from the dead and now sits at the right-hand of God? If so, then you also know the bible is the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and therefore believe all that is in it. Scripture is not written as some puzzle; it is clear and concise, and it is our responsibility to be aware of context around each chapter and verse, consider the culture at the time it was written, and apply it to our current life situations. 2 Timothy 3:13-17 tells that if we are not be deceived by evil we must continue to study the scriptures which are given to us by God and meant to profit, reproof, correct, inspire, and provide instruction in righteousness.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (Timothy 3:16 ESV)

Be a Berean

In Acts 17:10-15 we find that Paul and Silas, having fled from Thessalonica began ministering in the synagogue of the Jews at Berea. Unlike the some of the Jews at Thessalonica who were angered by Paul’s message that Jesus was King, the Bereans welcomed Paul and Silas, received the word with eagerness and searched the Scriptures daily to see if what they were hearing was true.

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11 ESV)

Pastors, websites, books, devotionals, and bible studies are plentiful, can be helpful and accessible to all.  What we must remember is the authority of all authority comes from God and like the Bereans, we must allow scripture to shine the light on what is true.

Attend a Bible Teaching Church

One of the many fallouts from the COVID pandemic was that people got used to staying home and did not return to regular church attendance. Fellowship with like-minded Christians is important to our spiritual health and growth. Hebrews 10:25 says we are not to neglect meeting with one another, and Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:20 that where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there with them. When we are out in the world it can be a battle to keep our thoughts on Christ. The comfort and knowledge we get when we are with our sisters and brothers in Christ can recharge our hearts and help us to seize each opportunity to share the gospel, proclaiming salvation through Jesus as we are commanded to do in the scripture.

“and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”(Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Be Salt and Light

During the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said believers are the salt and light.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall is saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and tramped under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:13-14 ESV)

If we look at the definition of salt or research it’s uses, we see that salt is a preservative, a flavor enhancer and one of the minerals our bodies need to survive.  Salt can be painful if it gets into an open wound but can also help the wound to heal and remove toxic materials from the body. Salt makes people thirsty. Light can be defined as something that is not heavy, easy to bear or endure, something that makes vision possible, that enlightens, informs, and illuminates.

How can we take this knowledge about salt and light, see it through the lens of Jesus, and apply it to our own spiritual growth and that of our family, friends, and co-workers? There are times when other believers may simply need us to listen and for them to see another sister in Christ live faithfully and find bits of joy through her own trials in life. In these instances, God can use us as a beacon of light that glorifies Him. However, we cannot stop there as we are also to be trusting in Him to put people in front of us who need to hear the Word and knowing that He will guide our response to be one that is easy on the pallet and satisfying, or one that, in love, is sharp and possibly hurtful but can result in a recognition of sin and cause someone to thirst for forgiveness and healing.

Ladies, many Christians struggle with how to share Jesus, it is often outside of our comfort zones to simply strike up a conversation, even with family members and close friends. Instead of allowing Satan to discourage us by whispering that we are not knowledgeable enough to share the gospel (the GOOD NEWS!), lets encourage one another to trust in Christ! Spend time in scripture and prayer, draw closer to Jesus and the Holy Spirit will empower you to do that which glorifies Him!

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV)

With these methods we can begin to understand how loving and powerful our God is, we can learn to be quiet and trust that God will show us the way through anything we must face in this world.  We can wait on Him with joyful anticipation!