Psalms 46:10
”He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”“
Psalms 46:10 NIV
God is the creator of the world, and of the land and sea. God is calling us to reflect on all that He has done. We must consider who God is and how His amazing plan for our redemption is through the blood of His Son, Jesus. We frequently read this verse as God's command for us to cease from our busy schedules and make time for prayer or worship. Though this is obviously incredibly important, however, there is a deeper meaning to this verse.
When we read the context in which this verse is situated, we may be surprised to discover that when God utters the command, "Be still and know that I am God!" God is not speaking to His people, but to the raging, and violent nations who threaten them.
The Psalmist is proclaiming that amidst the chaos and turmoil of this world, he rests in the knowledge that God is his refuge. He imagines God as a mighty warrior, fighting against the nations and kingdoms of this world and even against the mountains and the sea. He’s calling them to be still and recognize Him as God, all for the sake of giving His people a place of refuge, a city that cannot be moved.
We too have many forces arrayed against us, finances, unforeseen calamities, interpersonal conflicts, debilitating sicknesses, uncertain futures, and spiritual oppression. We may feel as though we are tossed about by tides and waves over which we have no control. However, in these moments of trial, when the waters roar and foam, and the mountains tremble with tumult, we can trust that the Lord Almighty is with us and He makes all troubles still.
In the present, nations roar and kingdoms totter, but we look to the future, a future in which God will truly and finally make all wars cease. Then He will break the bow, shatter the spear, and burn the shields with fire.
Although the nations rage like the billows of the sea. And the people imagine a vain thing against the Lord God Almighty, we are called to be still in the presence of the Lord and to know Him in our heart by faith, with thanksgiving. May we be still in His presence, cease from all our strivings, and be at peace in His company Whom to know is life eternal.
Like Jesus rebuking the storm at sea, God will shout "Be still” to all the chaos of this world. So, perhaps in this particular verse, the command to "Be Still" is not addressed directly to us, it certainly still applies to us. For when we are confident that God has the power to still all that with which the world can threaten us, we too can Be Still and abide in our knowledge that He, the Lord Almighty, is our refuge.
So in our stillness before God, we are to remember that God is worthy of all praise, not just in our lives, but in all the nations. And that God’s purposes in the world, among the nations in all the earth will be accomplished. And so in our stillness, our hearts are intended to cry what Jesus taught us, to pray:
“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.“
And as we pray that, to be still and know that it will happen, the name of God will be hallowed, exalted in all the earth among all the nations. So let us pray toward that end with confidence!!!
Father, thank You for this day and for waking us up and setting us on our journey through it. Lord, let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family's portion today. Lord, we praise You that Your word stands fast for ever and ever and that Your precious promises encourage us to rest in Your love, and drink deeply from the Rock of our salvation. Lord, we pray for the salvation of the lost and for Your soon return, when Your name be exalted throughout all the earth and the nations will know that You are God. Lord, use us to share the Gospel of grace to those that cross our path today.
Father love you. Amen. !
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