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What does it mean to be still and know that the Lord is God? Psalm 46:10 is a popularly quoted verse. We see it on magazines, t-shirts and home decor. Does this mean we should stand still and do nothing when faced with a lawsuit? Does this mean you should focus on deep meditation when there are crucial things that need to be done?
When I first started studying what “be still and know that I am God” means, I started with the context of Psalm 46.
The background of Psalm 46
Psalm 46 is a psalm of praise that glorifies God as a “refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” Although the psalm does not describe the exact circ*mstance, it was likely written after God protected or saved Jerusalem from a great threat.
In poetic hyperbole, the psalmist notes that there is no reason to fear even if the foundations of the earth were to crumble. "Althoughthe earth collapsesand the mountains move to the heart of the sea,though the water rustles and foamsand the mountains tremble with swelling.” (Psalm 46:2-3, ESV)
While Psalm 46 was written about the city of Jerusalem (There is a river whose flow makes the city of God happy,the holy place where the Most High dwells. Psalm 46:4), God who was for Jerusalem is the same God who is for us. His character does not change. God is also our refuge and strength in times of trouble. And in difficult circ*mstances, even if everything around us changes, we do not need to give in to fear, because God will certainly help.
While the hymn has a national context, our personal relationships can also cause so much turmoil that it feels like our foundations are crumbling. That's exactly how I felt thenmy husband died suddenlyand I instantly became a widow and single mother of seven children. Life as I knew it had imploded and it would never be the same again.
But God, who was for Jerusalem, brought victory, put an end to the war, broke the enemy's weapons and destroyed their chariots.
God is for us too, as His beloved children.(Romans 8:31). It is in this context of God's victory on behalf of Jerusalem, and at the same time on our behalf, that verse 10 commands us: “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, ESV)
(Find12 other "be still" Bible verses here.)
Be still and know that I am God who matters
The English definition of “silent” means “to be silent, without sound… silent… motionless.”¹
But the way we useBe stillin English is different from the Hebrew word. The instruction toBe stillIn Hebrew it means to let go, to stop striving, to relax and to let go.
It is a picture of letting go of our tight grip on circ*mstances and outcomes and trusting God, who is sovereign over both.
I'll be the first to admit that being still goes against my instincts. We are repairers. We want to make it happen, keep persevering and enforce a result.
But the call to silence is a call to surrender.
It means giving up the myth that we are in control and choosing to trust God completely.
NastyBe stillin this verse it means to do nothing.
- It doesn't mean you have to give up and sit down.
- It doesn't mean we have to stop doing the last thing God has called us to do.
- This does not mean that we have to wait for God to do everything.
When God commands us to be still and know that He is God, He is commanding us to surrender control of the situation to His sovereignty.It means letting go of control over the timing, the outcome, and the ways in which God will work out His purpose in the situation.
When we surrender control to God in difficult situations, we can actively do these five things:
1. Worship
We can't worry when we worship. Psalm 46 is a hymn that begins with who God is. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Worship reaffirms that God is on the throne and in power. Worship brings us into the presence of God, where we find comfort and strength. In worship we diminish and the things of this world become dim as God is exalted.
2. Bed
One of my college friends was super excited to spend the summer on a mission abroad. When she arrived, she was assigned to the daycare center to care for babies—not exactly the nervous missionary work she had imagined. But for hours, as she cradled babies and feeding bottles, she had a deep prayer life. She said she was forever changed and grateful for the gift of time to pray deeply.
When our schedules and hearts are quiet, we have time to pray deeply. Jesus modeled this throughout his earthly ministry, often rising up while it was still dark or praying alone. As crowds pressed to hear him and be healed, Jesus often “withdrew into the wilderness to pray.” (Luke 5:16)
3. Peel
When we are silent, we can remember God's impeccable record of faithfulness. Psalm 46:8 says, “Come and see what the Lord has done.” We remember two ways. First, by entering the Word, where we are reminded of God's character, His miracles, His provision. Second, we remember what God has done for us personally. God hasn't gotten us to let us go yet.
At the end of his life, Joshua reminded Israel of God's continued faithfulness by leading them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, into the desert, and into the Promised Land. 'Now I'm going around the world. You know with all your heart and soul that none of the good promises the Lord your God has made to you have failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” Joshua 23:14
4. Say thank you
At least say thank you, God tells us. And when we first begin, we see with fresh eyes the goodness of God all around us. That God tenderly cares for us and gathers the details of every delay and setback to accomplish a will more perfect than we could ask or imagine.
God is good and God does good andwhen we stop to count our blessings, we realize that what we thought was mundane is rich. We see that God's grace and provision, love and kindness, have not only been sufficient, but exceedingly so.
5. Keep an eye on things
Even when we are silent, God is at work. Although we may not see what God is doing, we can be assured that God is at work in all circ*mstances to fulfill His desires.
This was never more true than on Holy Saturday. Jesus had died and been buried, and when the Sabbath began, all the disciples could do was be quiet and wait. How defeated they must have felt. But in that Saturday silence, God fulfilled His eternal plan when Jesus experienced death on our behalf and then defeated death! Do we search for God's hand in our silence?
No matter the circ*mstances around us, our hearts can still worship, pray, remember, thank and watch.
