Be Still And Know That I Am God

Be Still and Know That I Am God (Psa 46:8-11)

Today, Tom Ridge issued another warning to elevate the terror alert to high alert to put the nation in a state of readiness for another attack by terrorists. We live at time of high alert when anxiety seems to be running at a fever pitch and yet God gives us a great assurance in our passage today. Even though war and destruction are all around us as seen daily on TV the Lord will ultimately be victorious. God is telling us that despite the seeming instabiity of the times all we have to do is be stand quietly and watch how the Almighty displays His glorious power.

Quote: The early church leader Augustine was once accosted by a heathen who showed him his idol and said, "Here is my god; where is thine?" Augustine replied, "I cannot show you my God; not because there is no God to show but because you have no eyes to see Him."

Quote: Be still my soul. The Lord is on your side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to your God to order and provide. In every change He faithful will remain. Be still my soul. Your best, your heavenly Friend. Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. (Jean Sibelius) Song sung by Elisabeth Elliot Leach, author of Through Gates of Splendor, when she learned of the death of her husband Jim Elliot, matryed while trying to reach the Auca Indians in Ecuador in 1956.

David wrote this 46th Psalm at a time of the Assryrian invasion of Judah, so it gave the people of Israel needed assurance of God’s deliverance. He invites them:

"The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. come see the glorious works of the Lord See how he brings destruction upon the world and causes wars to end thorughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear in two; he burns the shields with fire.

Be still and know that I am God! I will be exalted in the nations. I will be honored through the earth." (Psa 46:8-11)

In light of the assurance of our Almighty God’s triumphs we should take time throughout the day to be still and reverently honor him as the God of power, love and sovereign control of all things.

Illustration: GOD’s Omnipotence:

A young boy traveling by airplane to visit his grandparents sat beside a man who happened to be a seminary professor. The boy was reading a Sunday school take-home paper when the professor thought he would have some fun with the lad. "Young man," said the professor, "If you can tell me something God can do, I"ll give you a big, shiny apple." The boy thought for a moment and then replied, "Mister, if you can tell me something God can’t do, I"ll give you a whole barrel of apples!"

Today in the Word, April, 1989, p. 43.

The following are several characteristics of God that we can honor if we will take time to be still and know Him as God:

1. REFUGE - We can praise God that He constantly offers reassurance during troubled times. David gives us emphatic declaration of God’s Almighty power to overcome any calamity that may befall us. Perhaps the most famous verse in Psalm 46 is "God is our refuge and strength a very present help in the time of trouble." A refuge is a shelter that provides protection from all kinds of danger. When we seek refuge in God we are trusting Him to deliver us from danger and trouble. Too many people are seek refuge in their homes, possessions or in their abilities. Let us take the attitude of the song writer:

Quote: Other refuge have I none. Hangs my helpless soul on Thee. Leave Oh leave me not alone. Still support and comfort me. All my hope on Thee is stayed. All my hope on Thee I pin. Cover my defenseless head. And receive my soul at last.

2. REASSURER - We can praise God that He constantly reassures us with His mighty power, presence and promise. Take time to thank God for the fact that He reassures you with rock solid guarantees regarding your security. People who do not get reassurance or think they do not need it are setting themselves up for deep distress. God alone is able to make wars cease. He alone is able to give us the confidence to move ahead with His will for our lives despite the outward circumstances or our personal feelings of fear. We can ensure the fact that He will bring to pass His will and way for our life if we take Abraham’s attitude toward our challenge, "He staggered not through unbelief but grew strong in faith, being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform." (Rom. 4:20,21)