Thursday, October 01, 2009

Be Still

For the last two days, I have been constantly going back to Psalm 46.  It's one of my favorites.  The Psalmist begins,
"God is our refuge and strength, and 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."
As a Christian, those words are comforting and are a constant reminder that I find solace, peace, and protection in the presence of God.  Though the world is in turmoil, we do not have to fear because God is our strength and refuge.  This is good news for us!

What really challenges me about this passage is found a little further down in the Psalm.  In verse 10 it says this-
"Be still, and know that I am God."
I certainly have a tendency to get worked up over things.  I worry about things that I cannot control.  Maybe you're the same way.  We can watch the news and we buy into the fear that the media broadcasts.  We let our lives get so busy that we don't know which way we are going.  Our relationships, jobs, families may seem like they are falling apart- yet the Psalmist says- in the midst of the storm, be still and know that I am God.

With the economy failing; unemployment is on the rise; bills are piling up; the car needs new brakes; childcare payments are due...

Be Still and know that I am God.

As we look around at our family and friends who struggle with addiction, brokenness, abuse, divorce, pornography, adultry...

Be still and know that I am God.

There is a battle going on with cancer, swine flu, HIV/AIDS, and other health concerns...

Be still and know that I am God.

For the times when we cannot tell which way we are going...to our children's practices, church groups, civic meetings, job responsibilities, visiting relatives, overtime, and preparing for the holidays (they're closer than you think!), or when you feel like that world is crashing in around you...

Be still and know that I am God.

My prayer for myself and for you is that today, tomorrow, and the next day that we will take time to quiet ourselves and know that God is God- that God is in control.  Because of that, we can find refuge in God's presence.  "Be still and know that I am God."  

1 comment:

Matt said...

It's pretty cool how powerful those words are, especially when repeated. Not to mention how universally they apply to the ups and downs of daily life.

It's so hard to practice that, to be still and know that He is God. But there is such a beauty in silence and a healing power in allowing the Holy Spirit to wash our tired and weary minds with stillness and grace.

Thanks, Steve, for the reminder of this in all the overwhelming chaos and instant information flow of our lives.