Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God” …. These words have been running around in my head for weeks. But what does this sentence actually mean?
I have always looked at this verse in relation to being busy, but if you look at the whole of Psalm 46 in context, I think it’s much more than that. This psalm speaks of wars, desolation, uproar and natural destruction… not your average words to describe just being busy! I don’t think Psalm 46:10 is a polite suggestion…. I think it is a battle cry. I think it is a command for us to know that God is in charge and He will be glorified in all circumstances… Come and see the works of the Lord (vs 8)
I think the placement of the comma in this verse speaks volumes. In language when you read a sentence, the comma indicates a pause. In this verse there is a pause after the words Be still. I believe that here the Psalmist is saying above all else, Be Still. Amidst everything that is going on around you, Be Still. In the turmoil, Be Still.
One of my favourite things to do is to sit on the sun lounge on my deck overlooking the backyard. It is here that I can escape the ‘white noise’ of life and just focus on the chirping of the birds and the sun on my face. This is a place where I can “Be still”. I think sometimes we get so busy trying to ‘do’ that we forget to ‘be’. We might not be in a literal war, but we are in a constant battle for our time, our energy and our resources… and let’s not forget the spiritual battle that is being waged against us every day. We strive to do it all in our own strength, but God is saying just Be Still…. Trust Me. “I WILL be exalted among the nations; I WILL be exalted in the earth.” (Capital emphasis mine)
In verses 2 – 5 we see a beautiful contrasting picture of Gods power and mercy. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging… There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her; she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
I take such encouragement from these two verses. I am a visual person and I love being beside the water, in any form, so the images of the contrasting stormy sea and the calm river conjure up beautiful relatable pictures for me. But in reality I often get stuck at the ‘roaring waters’ and forget to sit in the quiet of the calm river. I love verse 5 in the ESV version when it says “she shall not be moved; God will help her when the morning dawns.” I love this verse because when you have a firm foundation, you will not be moved, despite your circumstances.
What area in your life do you need to “be still” in today? Trust Him. God is in the midst of your circumstance and He will help you when the morning dawns….
