O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. Psalm 83:1.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6.

This morning in our Friday Zoom Retreat, we did a kind of examen. Temet Nosce (Latin) meaning Know Thyself. We were led to think about 3 questions: 1. What are your gifts, talents, strengths, passions. 2. What are your weaknesses, bad motives, things you wish you could fix. 3. How has knowing about yourself helped you in your walk with God? And as a starting point, What is your lens/filter – how do I see the world? We shared and in community we could see how unique and yet how the same we are. We began to see that our passions are passions God gives…do we have a passion for the outdoors? God loves His creation. Do we have a passion for helping others? God is passionate about helping others. Our weaknesses help us to see our limitations and our need for God to help. One of our members asked earlier for prayer for his countrymen because the decision by our President in the United States is not just news there. Vital medications are no longer being provided and many more people will die. And going into refugee camps leaves him realizing how overwhelming is the need everywhere. Not just news – the reality.

And in our chapter, Ezekiel 27, is a lament for Tyre. The chapter shows how blessed Tyre was and how vital to trade she was. The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, take up a lament concerning Tyre. Say to Tyre, situated at the gateway to the sea, merchant of peoples on many coasts, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘You say, Tyre, “I am perfect in beauty.” Your domain was on the high seas; your builders brought your beauty to perfection…All the ships of the sea and their sailors came alongside to trade for your wares…Silver, iron, tin and lead for your merchandise…human beings and articles of bronze for your wares…chariot horses, cavalry horses and mules for your merchandise…ivory tusks and ebony…turquoise, purple fabric, embroidered work, fine linen, coral and rubies…wheat and confections, honey, olive oil and balm…wine, wool, wrought iron, cassia and calamus…saddle blankets…lambs, rams and goats…spices and precious stones and gold…beautiful garments, blue fabric, embroidered work and multicolored rugs with cords twisted and tightly knotted’”…v. 1-24. And yet…“‘The ships of Tarshish serve as carriers for your wares. You are filled with heavy cargo as you sail the sea. Your oarsmen take you out to the high sea. But the east wind will break you to pieces far out to sea. Your wealth, merchandise and wares, your mariners, sailors and shipwrights, your merchants and all your soldiers, and everyone else on board will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your shipwreck…When your merchandise went out on the seas, you satisfied many nations; with your great wealth and your wares you enriched the kings of the earth. Now you are shattered by the sea in the depths of the waters; your wares and all your company have gone down with you.’” v. 25-27, 33-34. There is a need for trade and commerce. What of deeper need? Watching a local news story last night, I saw two people sitting together and talking about a missing child. They were simple people, not sophisticated at all and I judged them for that. That skewed my perception of them. Missing children are categorized and if that category isn’t deemed critical for many and varied reasons, they aren’t a priority. What is priority? In your life and mine, what is priority? Yesterday I came to the uncomfortable realization that I am truly frightened. This world is changing faster than anyone can fully comprehend the full outcomes for, for all of us. God comprehends fully. Jesus spoke about Tyre. What would He speak about us? Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” Matthew 11:20-24. My priority when I am truly frightened, is to remember my deepest need and turn to Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. Know Thyself? I need God. The path this world is on? We need God! Do we repent? Do we even understand that need – not just for “them”…but for us? I am frightened for what is coming because it feels so final and inevitable and needed. O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still.