Jewels from the River: Be Still and Know I Am God
Judy Bauman
June 23, 2011
Be Still and Know I Am God!
As I sat in the secret place, I asked, “Lord How can I bless You today? How can I honor You?” I ponder the words He spoke to me earlier to, “Tell the others that in order for them to receive answers, they must seek My face, be still, and know I Am God.”
“Father,” I implored Him, “I wrestle to still myself! So many things race through my mind in such a short period of time…help me! I want to hear You, I want to see You – to touch You God!”
“Today is going to be very different, are you ready?” the Lord interrupts my laments.
I wonder what “very different” means to the Lord because every River Vision I have had since 2008 have all been unique and “different”! I reply, “Yes, Lord! I’m ready – I want to be ready! Help me be ready!!!”
He asks, “What do you see?”
I answer, “I see a huge oak tree.”
“Now what do you see?”
In the distance I see some kind of vortex. I wonder if it is a heavenly portal; however, as it gets closer I can see it is a tornado and I am afraid to answer Him. When I was a young woman I saw the horrible aftermath of a beautiful brick farmhouse that was hit by a tornado. Its driveway had been lined with rows of mighty oak trees on either side. The tornado snapped them all like toothpicks – not one was left standing and the house was utterly demolished! I was terribly dismayed over that sight, so I was afraid to look and see what this tornado might do to this beautiful oak the Lord was showing me.
I hear His voice gently cut through my fears, “Don’t be afraid, Jewels, what do you see?”
“I see the tornado come and surround the entire tree and it is swirling all around it. I can see the tree inside of it, yet the tree is still standing.” I watch this scene unfold. The oak tree is not even blowing around. It is totally still as the tornado swirls around it – threatening to destroy its very existence. The only thing moving besides the tornado is a few dead leaves and branches. The storm is removing those and casting them far from the tree and they mix with the debris tossed by the twister; however, the oak itself stands still in its midst. The tornado does not move away as one would do in the natural, but instead dies down. The sky is dark and it begins to rain. As the rain passes a beautiful double rainbow breaks out across the sky!
I look over and see Jesus is now standing next to me with His arm around my shoulder. He is looking at the rainbow and then looks over at me with the softest and most gentle smile imaginable.
I ask Him, “What does this mean, Lord?”
“You don’t know?”
“Only You know my King.” I can barely get the words out. I want to fall to the ground. I am so weak from looking at Him and feeling the love and compassion that emanates from His arm. His magnificence fills my heart with joy, but it also makes me painfully aware of just how unworthy I am to be in His presence.
Jesus tenderly explains. “Without the Cross, no is worthy.” He states this not only as a matter of fact, but also to snap me out of my self-defeating thoughts. The Lord goes on, “You, my dear, are the one I have chosen to explain certain mysteries to those willing to hear. So listen carefully.” This statement stuns me, mostly because I feel unqualified. Ignoring my doubts He continues to speak. I realize I must receive the perfect work of the Cross and pay close attention, or I will miss what He is saying.
“The tree is the Church. As you know the Church is not a denomination. I never instituted a denomination, nor did My disciples. The tree represents the ones who have given themselves to Me and know I Am their Provider, Strength, Healer, Friend, Father, Brother, and Ever-present help in times of trouble. They know I Am their Deliverer and so much more. They are sold out completely to My will and way because they trust Me and know Me to be One who Redeems.
“You saw very little deadness on that tree and what was there was removed and blown away by the storm that sought its destruction. What you didn’t see, because your focus was on the Oak, was all the surrounding trees, buildings and vehicles that were destroyed by that storm. It brought utter chaos and destruction. Nothing was left but that Mighty Oak!
“All those who are not found in Me will not survive the coming floods, famine, tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and volcano eruptions. The earth is travailing just as Paul explained in Romans 8:19-25. Creation is groaning to be set free and it longs for My sons, those who are led by My Spirit, to be revealed.
“It’s My love, it’s My love, it’s My love, it’s My love. It’s My love, it’s My love. All things are to be filtered through My love and longing for My Church.”
The Lord goes on to explain, “When you first saw the tornado, you thought it might be a vortex or a heavenly portal.”
I understand Him to mean what He said to Nathanael:
“Truly, truly I say to you, you will see the heavens open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” John 1:51
This is also what Ezekiel seemed to experience when “the heavens were opened” and he saw visions of God. (See Ez 1:1)
Jesus continues, “When you are inside the eye of the storm that is the time to look up and see the visions of heaven. Don’t look at the storm or you will be consumed by it. You know it’s there, but as you fix your gaze on Me and what I will reveal, you will be found unharmed.
“It is not too late for one to fix their eyes on Me and be found safe when the storm has passed. Be still and know that I Am God.”
~End Vision~
Scriptures to ponder:
Psalm 1:1-3; 37: 7 & 40; Psalm 40:7-13, 16, 17; Psalm 91; Isaiah 60:21; 61:1-11; Hebrews 4:14; Revelation 22:1-3
Photo taken by Judy Bauman in Colorado 2010
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