Psalms 46:8-11
My house is quiet. It is not too early, but early enough. I am about to start the coffee and spend some time slowly moving around my chores. I need this time to pray, to read God’s word and calm my mind for the tasks ahead.
As a child my grandparents would watch us and spend time with us during the summer, I can still hear the words from each of them when I was getting a little squirrely or my emotions were running away from me. They would say similar things, but with slight variations to get me to stop and think for just a few minutes. I remember my grandpa getting annoyed with me for squirming in my chair while waiting for dinner after church, he looked at me and said very plainly, “Be still.”
Those two words accomplished more than any lecture or threat every did. He corrected me with an expectation. He acknowledged that my behavior was not appropriate, that I needed to stop and what his desired outcome would be. He spoke two words and my mind went into overdrive trying to accomplish the task he set before me to “Be still.”
Over the past 18 months God has been trying to teach me how to live more actively in His presence, how to lead better and encourage people more. What I have learned is that I must BE STILL even more. I have learned that my time with God needs to be even more focused on Him and His work. I am learning to be still before Him.
The Sons of Korah wrote in Psalm 46:8-11
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
The psalmist speaks of the might of God to do His will in the world. His work is a reminder to us that He is God, that His will is to be accomplished in the world. Our response is clear in Psalm 46:10, “Cease striving and know that I am God.” In other translations it is written, “Be still and know that I am God.”
As followers of Jesus, it is our God to know God more every day and rest in His presence and power. He is at work and notices our squirrely movements waiting on Him, and I hear His words as my grandpa spoke to me, “Be still.” Even now, in these early morning hours, I desire the same thing as I approach this new day. I long to be still in God’s presence and to face the day knowing that He is God.