* Make It Stop

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude
Psalm 61:1-4 NLT

An interlude is not exactly awe-inspiring in and of itself. Usually, it's a chance for the mind to wander a little, but there's that moment when an interlude can become the main focus - that which causes the before and after of something to be much more meaningful or intense. In the King James Version, it is translated Selah. Basically, it's a pause, a break, stoppage. A ceasing of what we were doing.

We must catch the significance of the placement of this interlude... which according to Google.com is also synonymous with "interval, intermission, break, recess, pause, respite, breathing space" and various others. Let's be real. When our hearts are overwhelmed, we NEED space to breathe. We need a break. Right?

However, you'll notice the Interlude is not placed after 'overwhelmed'; we're not to stop there and dwell on that. It's placed after David declares God is his safe refuge and his place of great safety with God as his covering and shelter. THAT's when David calls for an interlude. Stop - think about a safe refuge. Stop - enjoy a little respite. God's refuge will give us all the breathing room we need! When we get beneath the shelter of His wings and make God our refuge, HE will make it all stop!

Prayer:

Father,
             When our hearts are overwhelmed with life, help us to live only in YOU, O God, our strong tower, our refuge, our strength. Let us cease our struggling and rest in You alone. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen