Be Still & Know that He is God
The word itself generates fear, uncertainty, and insecurity. Pandemic … the word feels global. Uncontrollable. Uncontainable. Chaotic. And always present. Turn on the news – there it is. Scroll social media – there it is. Engage in conversation with a friend or family member – there it is. Run by Chick-fil-a to grab some heavenly goodness – There. It. Is. Always lurking. We can’t get away from it.
And it is in these seasons we are tempted … we are tempted to take our gaze from the Creator and to focus on the brokenness of the creation.
Psalm 46 offers a different perspective.
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.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (ESV)
Psalm 46 speaks of a God who is sovereign and in control … who is constant even in the chaos. And we are invited by the Psalmist to come & behold (gaze deeply upon) this unchanging God. We are invited amid the confusion and commotion and disorder to pause and to be still and to know that He is God. And that He will be exalted.
In addition, this sovereign Creator God is with us. He is our refuge. He is our strength. He is our fortress. He is our present help in trouble.
God is near. He is not removed or confused. He is sovereign. He is never caught off guard. He is never unsure what to do or how to react. He is the God who is in complete control even if the earth crumbles and the mountains are tossed into the seas.
And we are His people. He chose us to be His children. We are loved and protected by Him. We are secure in Him. We are safe in His eternal care.
The brokenness is vying for your attention. The chaos wants to distract you. Uncertainty is calling your name. Fear is pursuing you. The brokenness screams loudly.
And in the middle of the storm Jesus echoes Psalm 46: “Peace! Be still.” As the storm rages, He invites us into stillness – to fix our eyes on the Creator who is sovereign over the pandemics of the creation and who is near.
Be still and know that He is God. Selah.
