“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a

I remember being a teenager and hearing the beginning of Psalm 46:10 quoted all the time. That was the mid 90’s and there seemed to be a way of thinking about life in the church that was often summed up in the saying, “let go and let God.” 

Struggling with finances? Let go and let God.
Is your marriage on the rocks? Let go and let God.
Is your teen wearing flannel and listening to Nirvana? Let go and let God.

It seemed that this concept of being still and letting God take care of things was on par with the popular song at the time, Hakuna Matata from the Lion King. To be still and know that He is God became the church’s “problem free philosophy.” Slap that verse on any issue and move on, because God’s got it.

While our Heavenly Father, who is majestic in spendor and glorious in power, does indeed hold each detailed moment of our life in his capable hands – I believe there is more to the command to “be still” than a willful dismissal of life’s difficulties. 

In Psalm 46:10 the call to stillness does point to a releasing or letting go, yet without understanding the context we remove the profound reason we can remove our grip of control and instead find rest in surrender to our Mighty God.

In verse ten we see a connection between stillness and knowledge. We are to be still (cease striving) because we have an awareness of truth that transforms our impulse to fear or control life.

What is that profound, life-changing truth?

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Ps 46:1)

Notice two key points the Psalmist is making in this statement. First, we see that the author writes that “God is our refuge”. He is personally aware and invested in His people’s protection and care. He belongs to them just as they belong to Him. He is not removed or ignorant of their needs. He is not unconcerned about their protection. He is not too busy roaming the far galaxies to neglect those whom He cares for deeply. 

Secondly, not only does God belong to His people but He is active in their lives as a “present help in trouble.” At the time of its writing, this song of Korah spoke about the God of Israel who had a history of personally protecting His people and fighting their battles. He was the God who defeated the army of Egypt and the God who fought with Joshua to conquer Canaan. He was the same God who raised up King David in order to bring peace to the land and security to Israel.

In this one verse we see that God is both willing and able to do mighty things on behalf of those He loves. 

It’s with this in mind that the Psalmist then moves into verse two with an incredibly large “therefore”…

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah  (Ps. 46:2-3)

In this passage we see the ongoing result of setting one’s eyes on a God who is intimately aware of us and able to work on our behalf – peace.

Even when the earth itself begins to break apart due to the violent shifting of the tectonic plates, we have no need to fear, for our God is able to both begin and end their shifting. Even when a titlewave of water builds high and moves inward with great destruction and chaos, we can stand firm for our God is not aloof or uncaring. 

Notice that the Psalm does not promise that these catastrophes would not happen, but that when they do we can know that our God is our ever present help in time of need. This same comfort is also for all those who are in Christ. We are His people by way of Jesus’ blood and because of that we can take heart when tragedy strikes and the world around us crashes down. 

It is one thing to be still when the world shakes or the twister touches down, but what about when kingdoms and governments conspire against all that is good? This is a situation that’s not uncommon to the people of Israel. They have endured great hatred from other nations ever since their formation in Genesis, yet God’s promise for His people remains true.

“The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah” (Ps. 46:6-7)

What a picture! The nations who hate the Living God rage against one another and against God Himself. They speak evil against His people, they persecute those who are simply sharing the truth with others, and set up laws that are morally bankrupt. I can imagine the Lord eavesdropping on the “secret” meetings happening all over the globe filled with men and women who live lives of debauchery while demanding more power for themselves. 

How can we “be still” when we know this is going on among us, even today? In Psalm 46 the author points to our hope in the eternal kingdom of God that will not be moved by any system of government or power of man.

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.” (Ps. 46:4-5)

If God dwells with his people then who is able to do anything against them? We also see a glimpse of this in Romans 8 when Paul writes that “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom 8:37) and then goes on to say that nothing in all of creation “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:39).

In other words, no evil world leader or sketchy politician can destroy the eternal reality of His rule and reign, and subsequently the love that we will fully experience within his kingdom. 

The opposite is true for those who are not of Christ. Psalm 46:6 describes a God who “utters his voice” and the result is the reshaping of the earth. While this may seem problematic for all people, keep in mind the following verse – “God of Jacob is our fortress.” Our fullest rest and security is not this world but the very presence of Yaweh Himself. Though the earth give way under our feet, we are forever held in the hands of our Almighty Creator. 

Recently at the Sing Conference, John Piper taught on the role of knowledge in stirring our emotions. In this teaching, he helped us to see that knowledge is not an end of itself, but is a servant to our emotions. Our emotions, including the joy and gratefulness that we feel toward Christ, are a glorious means of worship that come by way of our growing understanding of who God is and what He has done. 

This is also the essence of what we see in Psalm 46, and specifically verse 10. We can be still in the midst of life’s heartbreaks because our God knows us and draws near to the brokenhearted. He is all powerful and able to destroy our enemies and set our feet safely on the rocks of our salvation. In fact, verse nine describes His destruction of all the tools of war leaving us to contemplate a world filled with nothing but His peace and security. 

“Be still and know that I am God” is indeed worth quoting to ourselves in moments of deep pain, yet the essence of our stillness is not ignorance or dismissal. The essence of our stillness is truth, and specifically the truth of Christ and His love, power, and faithfulness. 

Therefore, it is no wonder then that the second part of verse 10 exists:

“I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!” (Ps. 46:10)

In the presence of a holy God, who moves heaven and earth to demonstrate great love and care for His people, there can only be exaltation and worship. One day the world will see all that He has done and marvel at His goodness. They will be shaken by His power, and if they are in Christ, they will also find hope in His hands. 

Brothers and sisters, I pray that the next time you hear the command to “be still and know” that you will be reminded of the glorious context behind that statement. Context that’s not just inside of the Psalms but flows throughout the entirety of the scriptures, all the way to the cross of Christ. On that hill our Lord gave up of Himself so that we would be made children of God and thereby secured in the hands of the Father for all eternity. 

Wherever life finds you this day may this truth ring in your ears as you take time to be still and know that He indeed is God.

Mike Crump

Pastor of Church Communications

In his role as Pastor of Church Communications, Mike works to promote and resource ongoing ministry/events connected with the body here at Heritage. He also creates & distributes gospel-centered content (both physical & digital) among our wider congregation.