“BE STILL, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psa. 46:10) This is a popular verse AMY, for comforting ourselves and others—many people tend to think the verse means to REST OR RELAX in who God is. The verse does encourage believers to reflect on who God is, but there is MORE TO THIS PSALM than one verse—which is actually more of a wake-up call to BE IN AWE THAN A GENTLE CALL TO REST. Taking time out of our day to MEDITATE on Scripture and BE SILENT with listening ears toward God. But this command—“BE STILL…”—is written in the context of a time of TROUBLE AND WAR; therefore, we should consider the verse with THAT CONTEXT IN MIND.
Instead of interpreting “be still” as a gentle suggestion AMY, the meaning in this psalm lends itself more to: “cease striving” or “stop conflicts.” When we see, “Peace be still, and know that I am God…” We should interpret the command to read more like: ‘snap out of it,’ ‘wake up,’ ‘stop fearing’—acknowledge who our God is—BE IN AWE OF GOD! Consider verse one, “God is our refuge and strength, A very PRESENT HELP in trouble.” (Psa. 46:1)
God Leads His Dear Children Along
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but ALL THROUGH THE BLOOD;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.
“…thus says the LORD, who created you…And He who formed you…FEAR NOT, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; YOU ARE MINE. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isa. 43:1-2) God opened the Red Sea, God suddenly dried up the Jordan river, God protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Nebuchadnezzar had his soldiers throw them into a furnace after they refused to worship any god but the Father. The furnace was so hot that the soldiers who threw them into the furnace were killed from the flames of the fire. Yet Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego emerged from the furnace COMPLETELY UNSINGED.
-Bill Stockham