March 27 Daily Devotional

"Be Still and Know That I Am God...."

the Rev. David Freeman

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:10

Devotional

(continued)

True trust in the Almighty God leads to peace. "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings, his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord." What is more needed today than a holy submission to God? Are there many that graciously accept from God all His providential dispensations? Who is there that even if a present good cannot be seen in God's dealings, hopes against hope that God will bring good out of them? Yet it is only such trust which makes the soul triumph and rejoice in persecution a every tribulation.

Why not be calm? Is not the Lord our God still ? He is no less God than He was many years ago when He wrought mighty works among His people. Our thoughts change with respect to Him according to our changing moods, but He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

How may the soul know God's power and faithfulness? Behold His works, "The heavens declare the glory of God." See His faithfulness to such as are in covenant with Him. "He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations."

Why not be still? God will triumph. He "will be exalted among the heathen" and He "will be exalted the earth." Our King's cause will be victorious. His people will yet hold the place of honor. "The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge."

Zion enjoys her Monarch's love.

Secure against a threatening hour;

Nor can her firm foundations move,

Built on His truth, and armed with power.

"Lift Up Your Heart" is a series of devotionals by the late Rev. David Freeman, an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church for most of his life. These devotionals, in fact, are part of the early history of our denomination. The first of them was published in The Presbyterian Guardian in 1935; the denomination now known as the Orthodox Presbyterian Church was officially formed in 1936. We believe that "the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8; see 1 Peter 1:25). Thus it is no surprise that meditations based on that Word have continued relevance today. Dr. Freeman's devotionals are proof of that fact.

David Freeman was a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary (Th.B., 1928; Th.M. , 1930) and of Dropsie Univiersity (Ph.D., 1951). He served as pastor at Grace (later New Covenant) Presbyterian Church (OPC), Philadelphia, PA (1936-1946), Knox Presbyterian Church (OPC), Philadelphia, PA (1949-1962), and Grace Presbyterian Church (OPC), Fall River, MA (1962-1967). He authored many articles and (along with his son, David H. Freeman) is the author of the book A Philosophical Study of Religion, which appeared in 1964. He went to be with the Lord in 1984.

There is one change from the way the daily devotional was handled in the past with John Skilton's Think On These Things: New devotionals for the new series appear on weekdays only (Monday through Saturday. It is suggested that you use your pastor's sermon text(s) as the basis for your mediations on the Lord's Day.

We trust that you will find these devotionals, once again made available seventy years after they first appeared, to be a personal help in your own Christian walk today!