TIME TO BE STILL

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”—Ps.46:10

Three things come to mind when I think about what the Psalm 46:10 says:

First, we have to be still. The last many weeks have made the need to “be still” a more real concept than ever before. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, we’ve had to “be still” for the sake of our physical health. God said, “Be still” to the psalmist during a time of turmoil and trouble in the land that was brought on by sin. We live in a world that exists in the throes of a constant pandemic of sin; and this can be very trying to the hearts and minds of Christians.

God says to His children – not in terms of advice, but by way of admonition – “Be still.” In the midst of any storm, He wants us to settle down, keep calm and know what Isaiah knew about Him: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” Sometimes we have to be made to be still in order for God to do in, through and for us, what He wants to do.

Secondly, it’s hard to be till. It’s hard for people, especially Americans, to be still, because of all the activities we’re used to being busy with, and the many things we tend to let bother us. And there is business we have to take care of, and things (such as very real threats to our freedom) that should concern us. There’s plenty right now to make it hard for our flesh to “Be still.” But we need to heed to Jesus’ caution that we not let ourselves become consumed with “the cares of this world” (Mark 4:19).

Thirdly, it helps to be still. As hard as it is to do it, it helps us to “be still” and heed the voice of our heavenly Father who says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Prov. 3:5). These days of “self quarantine” provide us with some unique opportunities to be still for awhile, read some of God’s Word, then lay our Bibles in our laps and think about and get to know God a little better.

In the midst of all the present uncertainty and aggravation our Father in heaven says, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” His promise is, that before too long there’ll be no more deceitfulness, dearth, disease, distress, disbelief or death anywhere on earth. He will reign over all heaven and earth and His children will reign with Him. In the words of an old hymn:

“The darkness will turn to dawning,

and the dawning to noonday bright”;

and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,

the kingdom of love and light.”

Our heavenly Father is a great God, and has everything under control. We need to “Be still,” so we can reflect on and remember this.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”

—John 8:32