Good morning. From time to time, we need to take a moment to step back, take a deep breath, and find our reason for inner calm. That can be challenging in this hectic and noisy world, but I think you would have to agree that it is necessary.
Robert Louis Stevenson put it this way: “Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace, like a clock during a thunderstorm.”
I think that is a marvelous analogy, that the quieted mind functions peacefully, like a clock in a thunderstorm. It seems as though our world has been in the midst of a thunderstorm for quite some time now. Loud, bold, and threatening, while always seeking the spectacular. We live in a noisy world. Whether inside or outside, noise is often our constant companion and the assault on our inner peace is endless.
Psalm 46:10 begins with a statement that is brief, and powerful. It is also a clearly stated command of God: Be still and know that I am God,…Psalm 46opens with instructions for how this Psalm (or song) was to be performed in worship. We see before the Psalm begins that it is written to the “sons of Korah”. As Charles Spurgeon writes in his “Treasury of David”, “trifles may be left to commoner songsters, but the most skillful musician in Israel must be charged with the due performance of this song, with the most harmonious voices and choicest music.” Therefore, these instructions suggest that this particular Psalm carried enormous meaning and held a place of extreme significance and should only be performed by chosen musicians and skilled singers.
This Psalm begins by telling us about the God who is our peace: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give-way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Then in verse 7 we read: The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. This truth is so important that it is repeated in verse 11, which ends the Psalm.
Psalm 46 was written during a time of war. There was nothing unusual about that. Israel was at war against enemies outside her borders, as well as enemies from within, quite often. Those circumstances, being in the middle of a fight, make this command of God all the more remarkable. In the midst of your battle today, remember this: Be still and know that I am God.
As God addresses Israel, and us as well, He is not only telling His people to “be still” or “rest”. God is commanding them to open their eyes to who He is. For that recognition of who God is and what His presence in our lives means to us we need to stop, to take a deep breath, and to find an inner calm. We have every reason to give praise to our God who is so mighty, loving, and faithful that He will take care of the storm.
It’s easy to be fearful when things aren’t going well or when we are faced with challenges and conflict in our life. In the midst of their struggle, however, God tells His people to wake up and recognize who’s on their side. Be still and know that I am God.
In that light, the tone of this verse can be read: stop striving, stop fighting, and stop trying to do things on your own. Take a moment to shut out the noise. Stop stressing about the battle ahead and trust me. I am the Lord. I am your refuge and your strength. You have nothing to fear or worry about when I am with you. I will fight your battles and deal with your enemies. So, get out of my way. Step back, open your eyes, and acknowledge who I am and what I can do. Let me be God. Don’t try and do my job for me. Be patient, be still, and let me go to work.
Be still and know that I am God.
Claim those moments of peace today, knowing that God is mighty and He is on your side!
Vern