Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

“Be still, and know that I am God.

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth!”

“Be still and know that I am God” is a well-known verse, but it is not just referring to a dreamy quiet time with our coffee and comfy chair.  This verse comes with the context of refuge and strength.  Has trouble ever caused the ground to quake beneath you?  Have waves of uncertainty ever washed over you leaving you treading water and gasping for breath? Life has a way of coming at us with storm-like unpredictability, but God promises his peace, power, and presence in the midst.  

One of our natural human reactions in dealing with problems is often panic.  We tend to grab hold of whatever we can, all the while trying to control the situation in order to eliminate our discomfort and/or that of others.  Fear begins to call the shots.  Our mind goes into overdrive and we become hyper-focused…but not always on God.  

God is not our last resort, but our first and best.  We make life harder when we look to self in the midst of trouble rather than God.  O Lord that my heart would always default to trust and seek you first.  Psalm 46 reminds us that the Lord is always ready to help us.  Therefore, we don’t have to fear.  Listen to the language of verses 1-3:

God is our refuge and strength,

    a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 

The imagery of chaos, battles, and trouble contained throughout this psalm reminds us to stop, look, and listen because the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is with us.  God is our stronghold in all situations.  In addition to our circumstances, our mind, body, and spirit battle this world every day.  But even here we are called to cease striving and trust the Lord.  God reminds us that the battle belongs to Him.  Therefore, we don’t have to fear even when the earth gives way.  This frees us to focus on Jesus.  

Be still and know that I am God.  Jesus stands between us and the storms of life like a parent standing between two arguing children.  He breaks up the fight and stands between us.  Halt.  Let go of each other.  Cease fighting.  Cease striving to make anything more important than ME. Be still.  As a Child of God, we are called to live a victorious Jesus-first life, enjoying our relationship with God and nurturing it daily. All the while, the Holy Spirit is at work in us and through us and for us making us more and more like Jesus. We can trust God even when life isn’t so still.  Our stillness doesn’t come in the absence of troubles and battles, but in the arms of Jesus in the midst of it all.  

PRAYER FOR TODAY: 

Father God, thank you for being present in every moment of my day.  You are my refuge and strength, and I want to seek you first in the chaos and troubles of this world.  Forgive me for letting waves of worry or control occupy my thoughts.  Help me to cease striving and trust you daily.  In Jesus Name, Amen.  

MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK: 

Psalm 8:9

O Lord, our Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!