Be Still and Know

If a crowd of people were asked to comment on the words of Psalm 46, "Be still and know that I am God," countless images of God would be reported. Some would see sovereignty, others tyranny. Some would find his words comforting, others challenging, still others harrowing.

Yet God is God, we seem to be reminded in Psalm 46, no matter how we think or speak of Him. We do not affect his sovereignty. This can seem quite tyrannical—if not terrifying—if God is not a God of love. And sadly, this is the oppressive view many hold before them. But on the other side of the argument, that God is God, that He is who He is, is the holiest of all comforts if God's goodness is thoroughly known, as it was by the psalmist. And as G.K. Chesterton noted long after him: we don't want a religion that is right where we are right, but a religion that is right where we are wrong. Sovereignty is comforting when the throne is trustworthy.

In this, Scripture is clear. Great men and rich men and wise men cannot hinder Him from being sovereign or faithful, from being who He is: slow to anger and abounding in love, our refuge, our strength, the breathe and bread of life. To be still and know that this is who is He is a stirring command. The one we meet in stillness is our hopeful sanctuary, the one who "will be exalted among the nations… exalted above the earth" (Ps. 46:10b).

Yet, I believe there is more to take in from such a commanding image. For the one struggling with issues of control, the one grappling with the philosophies of individualism resounding on every corner, in every commercial, in every heart, for the one overwhelmed by fog and self, the psalm seems to yield yet another striking message, "Be still, and allow me to be God."

Interestingly, the original Hebrew expresses a physical element to the instruction of stillness. The word can also be taken as a command to let the body go limp, or to release the grip of a hand. It is instruction to cease striving entirely, to be thoroughly still in the presence of who and what God is. For those of us living within cultures on the move, stillness is complicated if not extinct. As T.S. Eliot inquired, "Where shall the world be found, where will the word resound? Not here, there is not enough silence." Our lack of stillness is all encompassing, upsetting vision, mind, and spirit. In the words A.W. Tozer, "Man has accepted the monstrous heresy that noise, size, activity, and bluster make a man dear to God."

The command of Psalm 46 reminds us of what we have perhaps purposefully forgotten: stillness is necessary. Even Christ himself escaped the crowds to pray in silence to the Father. In stillness we can grasp what is unfathomable—the person and character of God. Through his Word, the Father instructs, "Stop striving, and know that I am who I am.”

The great depths of Psalm 46:10 are a small glimpse of how Scripture is living and active, judging the thoughts and hearts of all. You can glean much about your understanding of God by your reaction to the command to be still and know Him. As with all of Scripture, there is much to be seen, and ultimately, it is Christ who is revealed: "My family" he said, "are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

His stirring words continue to cry out for obedience: "Be still and know that I am God." That is, cease striving, desist in all of your distractions; exist in stillness before Him. Dynamically search, actively remember, and continually hold before you the reality of who God is, the certainty of his sovereignty, his goodness, his faithfulness, and his love.

Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Don't Lose Sight of the Goal“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

Numerous sources have told the story of Florence Chadwick, who on one foggy morning in July of 1952 waded into the waters off Catalina Island, intent on swimming across the channel to the Southern California mainland. This challenge was not too difficult for Chadwick as she had been the first woman ever to swim the English Channel in both directions.

However, on this day, having lost sight of the land because of the fog, Chadwick decided to give up. As it turned out, she had only been one-half mile from reaching her goal. She was not exhausted or cold. Rather the fog, having obscured her vision from the goal, was the reason she quit. Still, some two months later, on a clear day, Florence Chadwick attempted the same challenge – and this time succeeded, setting a new speed record, because she was able to keep her eye upon the goal.

As Christians, we have a goal: to follow Jesus, to become like Him, to love and serve Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. But, we often encounter the world’s fog, which can obscure our vision and keep us from seeing the goal clearly. I’m afraid too many of us have chosen to give up pursuing the goal because we become distracted by fog – the fog of busyness, of career, of material pursuits, of self-interest. We will all experience foggy days, spiritually speaking. Don’t quit. Persevere. Do your best to keep your eyes focused on Jesus who awaits with reward in hand, at the finish line.

I love the words of that old hymn written by H.H. Lemmel,

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,Look full in His wonderful face;And the things of earth will grow strangely dimIn the light of His glory and grace.

Today, let the fresh breeze of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life blow away the world’s fog. Fix your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What “fog” exists in your life that obscures your vision and hinders you from following Christ?
2. What actions can you take to regain your clear vision in order to pursue the goal of following Christ?  Will you commit those actions to the Lord today?

FURTHER READING:Hebrews 12:2; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Hebrews 10:36; James 1:12

[“Be Still and Know” by Jill Carattini]