There is a verse that I use all the time when I am confused or distracted by this worldly chaos that surrounds us. But the Holy Spirit got my attention this morning as I was reading, and my mind went the opposite way. When that happens, my response is always the same … Be still (Scholasate) and know that I am God.
This morning as I attempted to regain my focus, the Holy Spirit said something very direct: “Why do you always avoid the rest of the Psalm?”
Well, I went to several of my Bibles and read the notes I had written regarding Psalm 46:10. And one of the commentaries in my library put some light on why the Psalmist tells us to be still and know that I am God. I reread the Psalm again and I thought I would share what he wrote as it gave me a whole lot to think about … especially the next time those words come out of my mouth.
GOD’S PEACE FOR THE HEART
PS 46:10 Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
“God now speaks a prophetic word. As He brings peace to the earth so He brings peace to the heart. We can experience now that eschatological reality: Know that I am God. To know that God is God is to experience Him in the quiet of our hearts. This is relational, not merely theological knowledge. It is letting God’s peace settle down upon us. It is knowing Him as our security and stability in the storm.”
“Now we are ready for God’s next word: I will be exalted among the nations / I will be exalted in the earth! The word for exalted means to be lifted up, to be raised high. We can think of a victorious coach being carried from the field by his team, receiving the praise of the fans. God will be raised high, and both creation and history will bow to His sovereign will and give Him victory. We know that this will take place when Christ comes to manifest the fullness of God’s Kingdom. Remembering Philippians 2:10-11… every knee should bow… and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God; we pray, thy Kingdom come.”
A CONCLUDING REFRAIN
Ps 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge [fortress]. Selah.
Is God big enough to deal with our personal problems? Is He big enough to deal with the East-West crisis? Racial violence in South Africa?
Religious violence in Nigeria? Volcanoes? Hurricanes? Shifting plates? Comets?
The God of Psalm 46 commands angelic hosts, volatile nature, expanding creation, historical chaos, wars, and rumors of wars. He is the Lord of hosts. He will be exalted in the earth. No wonder, then, that this Psalm inspired Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
Donald M. Williams, The Communicator’s Commentary
The answer is yes and amen! And the next time my mind begins to wander, and I speak those familiar words to refocus in the middle of chaos … Be still and know I am God … I will have a lot more to consider: Don’t fear, rest, God is still sovereign, stand still in quiet confidence … Because He Is God!
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