Be Still...

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. - Psalm 46:10

Right now, here in the Charlotte area, we are enjoying a "Be still" day (as my wife used to describe them to my children). In the Charlotte area, it doesn't take much wintry weather for us to have a "Be still" day although it happens infrequently.

"Be still" days are opportunities to...

• slow down from the usual busyness of our lives.

• rest.

• spend a little more time with the Lord than our usual schedules afford.

• reflect upon and learn more about our God.

Before you continue reading, take a moment to read the entirety of Psalm 46.

Question: According to Psalm 46:1, what is God?

Take a few minutes to consider that question. Meditate upon the words "refuge," "strength," and "help."

God is all of those things during our times of trouble; our times of worry and anxiety. Interesting questions to ask yourself are these:

• When do you need a refuge? When there is a storm.

• When do we need strength? When we are weak.

• When do we need help? When we can't do something.

If you are currently experiencing a storm; if you don't think that you have strength to keep going; if you don't think that you have the ability to accomplish what God has placed in front of you; these are all times when you need to meditate upon what God is. He is our refuge; He is our strength; He is a very present help!

(Another resource to use is Strong's Concordance which allows you to look up words and see others verses in the Bible where those words are used.)

"The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted." Psalm 46:16

(Listen or watch Pastor Campbell's message, "Why Do the Heathen Rage?")

Rage: Violent anger accompanied with furious words, gestures or agitation; anger excited to fury.

Not only do we, at times, experience storms, and weakness, and times when we need help, we are also experiencing, in the world around us, the rage of the heathen. The unsaved, more and more, are acting out in a violent manner. (Just consider the events unfolding in the Minneapolis area.) For the believer, this can be very unnerving and unsettling. For the believer, it can cause us to ask, "What should we do? How should we respond?"

Before we do anything; before we respond in any way, it would be good for us to consider Psalm 46:10:

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

Be still: stop; be quiet.

Too many of us are too busy! (Do I hear any "Amens" to that?") On top of that, the heathen continue to rage. On top of that, we are experiencing storms and trials of every kind.

Stop and know.

Included in the meaning of the word know is the idea of learning. For many of us, we have know the facts about Who God is but we need to slow down at times and learn how those facts apply to our lives.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:29

So, if you find yourself with a "Be still" day, take the time to meditate upon Who God is and just how those facts apply to your life. You will find Him to be your Refuge, your Strength, your Help, your Rest!