Relax and recognize that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 paraphrase

I awoke with Iran on my mind. When I sat down at the table, coffee in hand, the first thing I did was greet the Lord. Then I thanked Him that the earth was still intact. Yes, from our president’s over-the-top threats yesterday, I didn’t know what to expect this morning.

Settling in, I turned to the day’s reading in a Ken Boa topical verse guide—no commentary, just pure Scripture. My heart immediately ceased its anxiety when I read the verse above, this truth about who our God is and His purpose for the world. 

Examining the meanings the Blue Letter Bible app offers for the Hebrew terms that Bible translators render as “cease” and “know,” I rewrote the first part of the verse for myself. I often do that so I can more easily wrap my mind around the truth.

Up until this morning, I’ve skipped over God’s statements about being exalted. Suddenly, they pulsated with assurance of the continuation of the earth. 

Nothing that Trump nor Iran does can block God’s will for all people groups to exalt Him, to recognize who He is. How do we exalt the one and only God who created the universe?  By our speaking truth about Him—how perfectly powerful, holy, good, wise, sovereign, purposeful, and present He is.

If that is what God has laid out for our world, then neither evil men nor Satan can block His ways. Furthermore, our Lord has already set down the exact time for everything that occurs.

My fears immediately subsided as I acknowledged this truth. Of course, I continue to pray for God’s restraining hand so that fewer people suffer and more come to know Him as Lord.