The Rustling Grass

Two weeks ago Glen and I experienced our first hiking trip and slept in a tent in the Smokey Mountains.  There were several people at the site we were and at first when we settled into our sleeping bags for the night there was a lot of sound and activity.  Gradually, every one went to sleep.  I know this because several people were snoring, loudly.  

As the night wore on, I noticed the sound of rustling outside of the tent.  It was a very windy night, so I knew this was probably just the wind blowing through the grass, but still, when one is in the wilderness the thoughts of bears come quickly to mind.  I wondered what type of critter -- be it bear, squirrel, chipmunk or even mouse -- could be making the sounds just beyond my tent flap.

Today I was reminded of this as we sang the hymn "This is My Father's World" in one of our services.  In this hymn is the line, "in the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere."

In our Christian lives we live in a world of "rustling grass."  We face difficulties, problems, pains and troubles.  Sometimes our "rustling grass" may be just the wind, or maybe a chipmunk or even a bear. But the truth of the matter, whatever it is that stirs the grass of our lives, it is ultimately the Lord speaking to us.

Sometimes we have trouble hearing that voice, though, because He speaks to us with a "still small voice," and our fears (of the bears, perhaps?) speak with loud voices, shouts and screams.  We must choose to quiet ourselves to hear His voice above all else.

"Be still and know that I am God," said the psalmist.  He ends that song with the line "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."  When we make the choice to still ourselves to know God, we will begin to know Him as our refuge and to know He is always with us.  Our peace will move from people, things and circumstances to Him and Him alone.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted. 

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."Psalm 46