Clam Up

 If an oyster gets irritated, does it clam up?  

 Just asking…

 It may clam up and make a pearl out of the irritant.  Whaddayah think?

 When our LORD asks us to “Be still” and “wait patiently for Him,” it could be the time for us to clam up too.  If we clam up, our tongues can “be still”.

 Then with effort, our minds can be made still as we trust Him  and “wait patiently for Him” to act on our behalf.

 What can we “be still” from?  In the midst of our rage, can we trust Him?  In rage and resentment from waves of acute-chronic-acute irritation in a marital relationship?  Still, from turmoil at work or school?  Still from seeing injustice upon injustice and from evil that prospers?

 Can our anger be stilled?

 Perhaps…

 As we trust in the LORD and do good, as we delight in the Lord, as we commit our way to Him showing Him our trust, then He will act on our behalf.  He will calm the troubled seas of our mind and heart.

 Oh, the irritants may not be removed because He wants to make a pearl out of you.  As you clam up and be still in mind and tongue, then He can work.  He will help us find a way through it all.  He walks with us (see Psalm 23:4).

 The commandment here is to…

 ” refrain from anger, and forsake wrath”.  

 If we operate with such intense emotion, the Word of God says it “tends only to evil” (vs 8).  We will only make matters worse.

 Anger itself is not a sin - yet, but action in an uncontrolled manner tends towards evil as the verse tells us.  When anger drives us to do good deeds to help those in distress, experience injustices and evil, then that anger is put to good and constructive use.  However, be still in the LORD’s presence seek His will and allow the Holy Spirit to show us the way.  Listen for His voice in the stillness.

 One sister wrote,

 “Allow the stillness of God’s presence to renew our strength and grant us the wisdom we need to tackle the challenges we face each day…” (Kimya Loder).

 We can turn this into a prayer and use it as a motto for ourselves.

 This is how ‘pearls’ are made in our souls and spirits.  So let’s clam up and trust our Lord to help us become more like Him.  Let’s become the most exquisite pearls we can be for His glory.  Spend time with Him.  Be still and wait patiently for Him.

 Lord, we wait patiently for You.  Take our anger, and in the stillness of Your presence turn it into good.  You seek pearls.  Help us to become them as You walk with us through our valleys of irritants.  Bring forth the righteousness You desire for each of us.  Act on our behalf.  As we are still, let us hear Your voice, gentle, consoling and giving guidance.  Still our hearts and minds, anxieties and anger that is sinful.  I beseech You in Your name Lord Jesus.  Amen.

                                                 ~ERC  February 2025 ~

 Based on Psalm 37:5-7 and Our Daily Bread - Sept/Oct/Nov 2023 - 12 Sept - by Kimya Loder.

 Sing - Be Still and Know, along with CeCe Williams.