Be Still: The Power of Quiet Reflection in a Chaotic World
I suspect that since 2014 when I began writing daily devotionals, I have written from Psalm 46 at least once a year. It has been a passage that has calmed me, motivated me, and challenged me as far back as 1996. I have read and meditated on this verse dozens of times every year since 1996.
The author of Hebrews reminds us, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” So it is no surprise that in the current moment I find this passage once again speaking truth to me as I navigate through my last few months as a college president and pray about what God wants me to do in the next season of life.
We sometimes want to make scripture about us, but while the word of God speaks to us, it is ultimately about God and his story. All of us get to be a part of the grand narrative because our Heavenly Father has adopted us into his family. The apostle Paul outlined God’s story of redemption in Ephesians 1: 3-14. We were chosen by God to be his sons and daughters before God brought the universe into being. We also see in this text that God’s plan is to unite all things in Christ and for us to live our lives in such a way that we bring praise and glory to our Lord and King.
The psalmist describes some scary situations:
“The earth gives way, the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.”
“The waters roar and foam, the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
We have seen and we know that storms, hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, tornadoes, and flooding happen with regularity. And when we are near their path, fear and anxiety is stirred in our minds.
But the psalmist describes other dramatic and frightening things as well:
“Nations rage and kingdoms totter.”
The suggestion is of power struggles and political upheaval. This has been true since the fall of man in the garden. And throughout the centuries, kings, military leaders, presidents and their administrations try to prove that their way, their plans, their recommendations are the best and their actions of war or chaos is just what is needed. History does record that sometimes good comes from some forms of revolution, but history also records that leaders come and go and kingdoms eventually fall.
As followers of Christ, we would be wise to give caution to surrendering too much confidence or allegiance to political leaders. A careful reading of this psalm and numerous other texts of scripture remind us of one clear thing: God is our refuge and strength, and he is a very present help in trouble.
It doesn’t matter what kind of trouble we find ourselves in. And in the case of the pendulum that swings right and left and back again, God, and only God, can make wars cease to the ends of the earth. Only God can shatter the spear and break the bow of men’s hearts, though many a political leader has thought otherwise.
The clear direction of scripture in times of personal trouble, sorrow, or the power struggles that come within and between countries is this:
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Don’t simply read that instruction and close your browsers or your Bible. Sit with it. Turn off every distraction. Confess your fear, your pain, and your confusion to the Lord and wait quietly before him. He is the God of all comfort. He will show us the way forward. Scripture, our spiritual ancestors of scripture and beyond confirm it, and deep in our hearts we know that the still small voice of the Lord will soon whisper his comfort.
Father, all of us face various difficulties. There is uncertainty around us. Some act confidently and others are in a panic. But today we choose to listen to your voice and to be still before you. We believe and trust that you are God, and you will be with us today and through every storm. In Jesus’ name, amen.
You’re Time with God’s Word
Psalm 46:1-11; Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 1:3-14 ESV
Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash
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