Selah

This came in a newsletter from a couple(Sid and Vilda Collison) that discipled Jeff and I years and years ago through a program called Exchanged Life Ministries.

Little Words:
“Selah”

Early in my teens, I remember reading this word several times in the Psalms and wondering what it meant. I wasn’t into doing heavy research at that time, but I did ask my parents, my pastor and some Sunday School teachers what it meant. The answers I received were the same: “Stop and think calmly about this.” As I now have done some research on this, I find that there are answers ranging from “stop and listen” to “forever” and from “amen” to “measure wisely or weigh what has been said.”

After reading so much about the interpretations/translations of this little word, 'selah', I believe it is right on target to use scripture to interpret scripture and the context in which the word is used to show that it really does mean that we should 'measure' or value care-fully what has just been said. There are many illustrations from scripture to prove this statement: “Whether of urging our meditation upon our sinfulness, declaring God is our refuge, or speaking in 'types' about Christ, this word is an exhortation for us to be wise and measure or weigh what has been said that we understand.”

My only purpose in presenting this word is to share some thoughts, questions and maybe some quotes with you and then ask you to selah (measure and weigh what is said) to come to a deeper understanding of, love for, and trust in our Great God.

Meditate on this quote by C.H. Mackintosh: “Faith must pass through the furnace—it will not do to say that we trust in the Lord, we must prove that we do, and that when everything is against us.” (Selah).

Selah this verse: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:7 KJV).

“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail” (Isa. 58:11). (Selah!)

Selah this song, “Rejoice In The Lord” by Ron Hamilton:

God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

Chorus: O rejoice in the Lord.
He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take.
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.
Selah and be blessed!