Peace in the Panic: Practicing Selah During Troubled Times

Discover how Selah can bring peace in the middle of crisis. Learn biblical truths, scripture encouragement, and how to trust God when the world feels uncertain.

Selah & Psalms is a ministry of Revive The Fire Ministries. To learn more go to: revivethefire.net, or selahandpslams.com

Christian Devotionals, Christian podcast, Faith in Difficult Times, Peace and Anxiety, Selah & Reflection, Bible Encouragement, Trusting God in Crisis, Christian Living, Spiritual Growth, Prayer and Meditation, Psalms Studies, Hope in Uncertain Times, Overcoming Fear with Faith, Biblical Wisdom for Today, Emotional Healing Through Scripture, God’s Peace and Comfort, End Times and Current Events, Daily Christian Inspiration, Encouragement for Believers, Strength During Trials, Scripture for Stress and Worry 

Transcript

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Welcome to Selah and Psalms, a place where you can pause, reflect, and find hope. And now, here is your host, award-winning author, Bible teacher, and evangelist Jane Morin.

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Hi friends. Today I want to speak to you about having peace in the panic. And the way you do that is by practicing Selah during troubled times. I mentioned this before, but the word Selah appears often in the Psalms, inviting the reader to pause, reflect, and rest in the truth of God. It is more than a musical notation or a poetic break. It is a holy interruption. In time of crisis, Selah becomes essential. When the world trembles, hearts race, and uncertainty fills the headlines, God still calls his people to stop, breathe, and remember who he is. Today's world gives us many reasons to feel shaken. News reports speak of wars in the Middle East, global inflation concerns, rising fuel costs, and fears of food insecurity tied to international conflict, and yet another attempt on the president's life. Economic experts warn of instability while families feel pressure from everyday expenses. Yet in the middle of such noise, God's word in the book of Psalms 46, verses 1 through 2 speaks with calm authority. It says, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear. This Psalm itself contains the word Selah several times, reminding us that even when the mountains move and the waters roar, we are to pause and trust. Selah in crisis means refusing to let panic lead. It means turning off the endless stream of fear long enough to hear the still small voice of God. The world says react immediately. God says, be still and know that I am God. Stillness is not weakness, my friends. It is spiritual strength rooted in confidence that the Lord remains sovereign. When Elijah fled in fear and exhaustion, as we read in the book of 1 Kings, chapter 19, God did not first send a battle plan. He sent rest, food, and then spoke in a gentle whisper. Sometimes our greatest need in crisis is not more information, but divine perspective. Selah facilitates a space for that perspective. Jesus modeled this so beautifully. Even with crowds pressing him, demands surrounding him, and storms rising around him, he withdrew to pray. In the middle of chaos, Christ practiced sacred pause. If the Son of God made room for Salah, how much more should we? Selah also reminds us that crisis is temporary, but God is eternal. Headlines change daily, markets rise and fall, nations rage and leaders shift, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. What comforts the believer is not that circumstances are stable, but that God is. When fear knocks, Sela answers with prayer. Philippians chapter 4, verses 6 through 7 tells us, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Let your request be made known unto God, and the peace of God shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Peace is not found by denying the crisis. Peace comes by bringing the crisis to God. Perhaps your crisis is personal rather than global. Maybe it's sickness, grief, family strain, loneliness, or financial pressure. Selah befits such a moment there too. Pause and remember that the shepherd still leads beside still waters. Pause and remember that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Pause and remember, my friend, that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. You see, the enemy wants crisis to become your identity. God wants crisis to become your testimony. So today, take a sale moment, step back from the noise, open the word of God, breathe deeply of God's promises, whisper his name, trust his heart. Though the earth shakes and nations tremble, the believer can stand in the quiet confidence that our Lord and Savior is still in control. Selah.