"Be Still and Know that I Am God" Psalm 46: 10-11
(Scripture quoted from kjv, and nkjy)
The world system in which we live and serve the Lord, has stan-
dards we as Children of God cannot afford to adopt. Achievement
for self promotion, hyper-activity, etc. seems the rule of the day.
The path to success is through a kind of high energy, frenetic pace
along a road that goes nowhere. This worldly lifestyle has permea-
ted some local churches and denominations. Activity seems to be
the most significant part of the service, worship, and praise in the
church. Everything seems to be centered on moving, shaking and
making a difference by our actions. There is a neglected factor in
our relationship with the Lord God; that is stillness, the quieting
of our spirits and overt activity. Psalms have much to say on this
subject.
Let's begin with a memorable passage on “stillness,” Psalm 46:
10-11. Here the Psalmist, following verses 1-9, which are full of color-
ful descriptions of the mighty works of the Lord, shows our response.
In all this earth moving, mountains being carried into the sea, waters
roaring, mountains shaking, our response is to be still. “Be still,
and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be
exalted on the earth. The lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob
is our refuge.” Since our God is in control of the cataclysm, we are
safe and all is well with His world since God is “with us and is our
refuge.” Being still, shows one to be confident in his Lord, not depen-
dent upon his own effort for security.
From here let's consider several passages on “stillness” in Psalms.
In Psalm 4:4-5 we find, “Be angry and do not sin. Meditate within your
heart on your bed, and be still. Selah, Offer the sacrifices of righteous-
ness, and put your trust in the Lord.” Again we see a trying situation.
The Psalmist considers our rightful response to anger when he says,
“Be angry and sin not.” We can be still in the situation, since the
Lord God is in control. We trust in Him; not in our solutions to injus-
tice.
Even in the Psalm 23, verse 2, when still waters are mentioned, it
refers to still waters in our soul. In Psalm 76: 8 we find in the midst
of the Lord's awesome display of power over men and the elements,
the earth became still out of fear. Then, in Psalm 139:18 the Child of
God is “still” with his Father, aware the only refuge he has; is his Hea-
venly Father. In Psalm 8: 2, God’s Word shows His enemies to be still
because of the strength He has put into the mouths of babes and nur-
sing infants.
Finally, in Psalm 83: 1, the Child of God makes requests of his hea-
venly Father. Relying on the work of the Father, the Child of God says,
“Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold your peace. And do not be
still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who
hate You have lifted up their head...” Here we find God’s Child leaving
off works on his own behalf, trusting God for protection, trusting the
Lord God to defend His name. Here, is pictured a man entering into
into the rest promised the Children of God, and has relinquished con-
trol of his life to the Lord. The child is still, but the Lord God is never
still; always active on his (on our) behalf.
Is it possible one of the greatest faults of the church today is that of
“much ado about very little,” and a failure to be still as we get to know
our Lord. If we fail to get our marching orders before we go to battle
with a prepared enemy, there will be no great success and the church
will be divided, going after this teacher and that philosopher or theolo-
gian. Our only hope of being an effective force in this world, is the pre-
sence of the Holy Spirit in the quiet place and moving as a unit in His
power. If we do not wait on the Lord’s “still small voice,” we will con-
tend in spiritual conflict with weapons of the flesh. How do we get our
marching orders or armor if we will not “Be still, and know that I am
God;” Psalm 46: 10
(Many years ago my wife, Judith, was hospitalized for some time for
a serious condition. She was quite low, but she received a call, in her
room, from one who was a close personal friend in another state. The
friend, spoke a brief greeting, then quoted the Scripture passage
from Psalms 46: 10. This made a positive change in Judith's outlook.
We never determined just how she knew Judith was in the hospital,
nor how she could call directly to the room. This couple had moved
from Fayetteville, NC, where we had known them and we had lost
touch. Judith still has a strong reverence for this Scripture...
("God still works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.")
See the link...
http://biblicalclarity-don.blogspot.com/2013/02/holy-spirit-basics-acts-1-2.html
donporter 9.26.12
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