STXWM Blog

“Be still and know that I am God!” I will be honored in every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalms 46:10

Busy is the understatement of our lives these days. I remember when the COVID shut-down happened and there were comments about how it was nice to be forced to slow down but soon it became stressful and difficult to sit still. In general, I don’t think we are very good at it.

I have always loved this verse. It sounds so calm and peaceful but usually I only see the first line of it on coffee cups and t-shirts. Have you ever read the whole chapter? When I read Psalms 46 this morning, I could feel all the chaos and stress that I’ve been battling in my life lately. The chapter starts with a reminder that God is our refuge and strength. But I want calm! I want God to make it quiet around me so I can clear my head and breath.

My ideal is that God will give me this quiet place to sit and drink my coffee while I thank Him for the peace, but that’s not what this chapter is talking about. It talks about God helping us not to be fearful while the earth literally shakes beneath our feet. “So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.”

But I don’t want crumbling mountains and roaring oceans! How am I supposed to just “be still” in the midst of all that? I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one that thinks like this.

But here’s the thing…..He told us to be still. He didn’t say life would get still around His children. He told us to rest, be still, do not fear. We have to take the step to hand all of it over to Him. We have to make the conscious decision to breathe, rest, take captive our thoughts and bring them into submission to the will of God. God will be faithful to deliver the peace, the joy, the protection. He said “remember that I am God.” We cannot move the mountains, but we can place our hope in the One who will. We cannot cure the illness, but we can walk with the Great Physician. The storm may not cease around you, but you can invite Jesus on to the boat. Give it all to Jesus today and then be still and know that He is God and He is on your side.

The second part of this chapter talks about God’s protection of and allegiance to Jerusalem. Verse 5 says “God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.”

Today leaders who oppose Israel have called for acts of violence toward Jews throughout the world but especially in Israel. So today, I commit to pray for the peace and safety of God’s people in Israel.

From the break of this day, He will protect you. Shalom (Peace).