The Cure for Spiritual ADHD

by Dennis Michelson
(Novelty, Ohio)

Psalm 46

Introduction: Luther wrote "Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing." The primary text for this message is found in verse 10 of the Psalm - "Be still and know that I am God." When we are striving it is an indication that we simply are not waiting upon God. We act as if the Lord needs our help rather than we needing the Lord's help. We can know we are striving when:

We place too much confidence in our own abilities (46:1) Some even assume responsbility for things beyond their control and they seek to usurp the position of sovereignty. This is why many professing Christians sometimes change their mate or change their church.

We are overly concerned when things go beyond our control (46:2-3) This often includes children and circumstances.

We are not refreshed and strengthened after our time with the Lord (46:4-5a) Again, Luther said that he would pray three hours each day with the exception of when he was extremely busy - then he would pray four! Read Isaiah 30:15.

We sacrifice needed rest (46:5b) We live in panic rather than peace. Read Psalm 4:8 and 127:2. A seminary professor once said that sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is get 8 hours of sleep.

We desperately want the Lord to control but we say we do not know how (46:10-11) Read I Peter 5:7. Quit striving.

The primary text in 46:10 issues three commands for us.

1. There is a command to ATTENTION - "Be Still"

We have become a people of activity - In 3.5 years of earthly ministry Jesus was never in a hurry like we think of it today. Satan loves it when we are "afflicted with activity."

We have become a people of futility - Read John 15:5 and scan the whole book of Ecclesiastes noting the term "vanity."

2. There is a command to ACTIVITY - "And Know"

This is the kind of activity mentioned in Jeremiah 9:23-24. The secret of knowng Him is waiting upon Him -

By learning of Him
By listening to Him
By leaning upon Him
By looking to Him

If you have never read Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret then get the book (remember those things we had before computers).

3. There is a command for ACCEPTANCE - "That I Am God"

This is why the Lord will allow you to get in a totally desperate situation. When standing at the Red Sea do not go out and buy as many pumps as you can finance - Stand still and see the salvation if the Lord. Do not become so obesessed with the product that you lose sight of the real benefit of the process.