Two of the most powerful action verbs in the Bible.
Be still, and know that I am God:….
Psalm 46:10a
I feel God put these two commands into His Word for us because He knew there would come a time we would need to stop and remember who He is.
When my girls were growing up, there were times I would tell them to be still. Their little squirming bodies needed to stop a second to see what momma was trying to tell them. I recall many, many times taking them into my arms, wiping tears and comforting them when they had gotten hurt. My girls learned who Momma is. I’m the one who loves, comforts, nurtures and will be there for them no matter what. It was a teaching process to lead them to the One who can calm even the winds and the waves in the storms of their lives.
This past week, my husband started having some abdominal pain, nausea and it wouldn’t let up. I took him to the emergency room. All of a sudden, he was admitted and taken into surgery for an appendectomy. With Covid restrictions, the hospital policy only allows the patient and workers into the building. To be honest, I started to feel frantic. I can’t be there for my man, I can’t take care of him, I’m here alone with no family, what if something happens, etc… You know fear gripped my heart. I sat in the parking lot with my Bible app playing, trying to rein in my out of control thoughts. When all of a sudden a dear lady in our church shared these words with me. Immediately, the winds and waves calmed. My heart was at peace. You see, I know WHO HE IS!
These two action verbs have some powerful meanings. I looked up in my Strong’s Concordance. Be still means to relax, cease from activity, to sink down. This takes some restraint from us hardheaded humans who think we can handle it ourselves. And know means to be ascertain, of a surety, acknowledged with all five senses (figuratively, literally) We can be sure who the Creator is in every way. Like my squirming little girls, I, too, have to stop and remember who is in control of every detail in my life.
Sometimes trials come against us and the whirlwind seems to put us in a frantic way. Our minds start whirling, we can’t think straight. This is when we need to just make ourselves stop, sit down and look to the Lord. In His Word, we can find every single answer we need to help in our time of need. Verse after verse tells us how we can know who He is. We have blessed promises that He will never leave us. When we cease from giving into fear and frantic, it’s then we truly see who He is! Let’s look at a few of His promises.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
“And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20b
“For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
In the whole chapter of Psalm 46, we can be ascertain that He is with us and is everything we need!
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
He IS who He says He is. He’s a God that cannot lie, nor will He. Through the whole storm of my husband’s hospital stay, My soul was at peace (still) knowing He IS GOD!
By the way, all is well with my man, he is home and taking it slow. Praise be to my God!
My friend, Be still and know!
