Be Still And Know (Ukraine Situation)

In light of international events, we’re calling an audible today. Instead of continuing in our On Mission series, I’m going to take us back to a passage I preached online and for Cozi TV right after Covid first hit our country and our community. We’ll return to Acts 24 next weekend.

Preaching involves at least two responsibilities. The first is to explain the Bible and relate it to life. The second is to take life and explain it in light of Scripture. Today, I’m hoping to accomplish both purposes.

Please turn to Psalm 46. This song, written by the sons of Korah, is set in the context of catastrophic chaos, troublesome times, and unparalleled uncertainty. The writer’s world was crumbling all around him. Some commentators believe the setting of the Psalm comes from the time King Hezekiah was surrounded by the army of Sennacherib, King of Assyria. Forty-six towns and villages in Judah had been overthrown, and at least 185,000 troops encircled Jerusalem (sounds like world headlines this week, doesn’t it?).

This Psalm was written with the nation of Israel in mind, but it certainly applies to us today.

Before we get into the text of the Psalm, I want us to see the word “Selah” after verse 3, verse 7, and verse 11. This word is used 74 times in the Old Testament: 71 times in Psalms and three times in Habakkuk.

Most versions of the Bible do not attempt to translate “Selah” but simply transliterate the word straight from the Hebrew. We know from the title of this Psalm, “To the choirmaster…a song,” that it was designed to be sung. It is likely it refers to a musical rest, in which singers stopped singing to take a breath so only the musical instruments could be heard. According to one Bible dictionary, it can also signify a musical crescendo followed by silent reflection.

The Septuagint, which is the earliest Greek translation of the Old Testament, translates “Selah” as “intermission.” The New Living Translation picks up on this by using the word, “interlude.” The idea is to get us to take a breath in order to reflect and remember. I like how the Amplified Version renders it: “Pause and calmly think about that.”

In addition, “Selah” is thought to be rendered from two Hebrew words translated as: “to praise” and “to lift up.” Perhaps the singers paused to think about what they had just sung in praise to God. It’s in the imperative, meaning this is something we’re commanded to do. This seems to be how the word is used in Habakkuk 3 where we’re urged to consider the weightiness of what we’ve just read or heard.

The best way to think of “Selah” is a combination of all these meanings. We could say it like this: No matter what happens, we can rest in God’s promise, presence, and power. Because the word “Selah” appears three times in this passage, we’ll follow this natural outline by reflecting, remembering, and resting each time we come across it.

Listen now to God’s holy, inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 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

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. 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

Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

No matter what happens, we can rest in God’s promise, presence, and power.

1. His Promise – He is for you as your refuge!

Let’s look at the first three verses: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 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.” This name for God is “Elohim” which reminds us He is Creator, King, Judge and Savior.

Amid whatever mess we find ourselves in, God promises to be our refuge, our strength, and our help. God is not pointing to a refuge outside Himself – He Himself is our refuge. God is our refuge even when what seemed steady is now unstable. The word “refuge” (or “fortress”) is used three times in the Psalm as a place of trust. It literally means “to flee,” as in running to an impenetrable shelter. God promises to hide and help us. Let’s cry out in prayer like we hear in Psalm 142:5: “I cry to you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.’”