Go! And Be Still: Knowing The Lord In The Storm - Psalm 46:10 Series

Go! And Be Still: Knowing the Lord in the Storm - Psalm 46:10

Psalm 46:10 (NLT):

“Be still, and know that I am God!

I will be honoured by every nation.

I will be honoured throughout the world.”

Introduction

This is not a polite suggestion from God. This is a divine command — a call to stillness in a restless world. In a time where chaos seems to rule, where noise fills every moment, and distraction dulls our discernment, God says, “Be still.” But this is not mere quietness; it is a holy stillness — a resting in the knowledge of who He is.

The Lord invites us to a radical surrender — to stop striving, to silence the noise, and to know Him as God. This is not about inactivity; it’s about intimacy. It’s not about apathy; it’s about awe.

1. “Be Still” — Stop Striving, Start Trusting

The Hebrew phrase for “Be still” is “raphah” (?????), which literally means “to cease, to let go, to release.” It’s used elsewhere to describe a loosening of grip — a surrender.

God is saying, “Let go. Stop holding on to your fear, your control, your efforts to fix everything.” Stop. Cease. Rest. This is stillness born not of passivity but of peace — peace rooted in trust.

Exodus 14:14 (NLT): “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Here, as Pharaoh’s army bore down, God called Israel not to panic but to trust Him. Stillness is an act of faith.

John Piper once said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

And when are we most satisfied in Him? When we stop striving to earn His favour and instead rest in His grace. Rest is worship. Stillness is trust.

Life Application:

How often do we try to control outcomes, manipulate circumstances, and fight battles God never told us to fight? Being still means handing over the reins — not because we are weak, but because He is strong.

Imagine a small child on a stormy night, curled in bed, frightened by thunder. The father enters, wraps them in his arms, whispers, “I’m here,” and suddenly the storm loses its sting. That’s what it is to be still — not because the storm stops, but because the Father is near.

2. “And Know” — Confidence in the Character of God

The Hebrew word “yada” (?????) means “to know by experience.” This is not academic knowledge. This is relational knowledge — the way a child knows a parent, or a shepherd knows his sheep.

Jeremiah 9:23–24 (NLT): “This is what the Lord says: ‘Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom... But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me.’”

Knowing God is our ultimate treasure.

Max Lucado wrote, “When we know God’s heart, we won’t question His hand.”

When we know His character — His goodness, sovereignty, mercy — we can be still, even when the world shakes.

Life Application:

To “know” God is to spend time in His Word, walk in obedience, and be in constant conversation with Him. You won’t hear His whisper if you’re constantly surrounded by noise.

There’s a story of a blind pianist who could hear a note slightly off from all the rest. When asked how, he said, “I’ve spent so long with the notes that I know when one doesn’t belong.” Friend, when you know God, you begin to discern His truth from the world’s lies.

3. “That I Am God” — Worship the Sovereign King

The stillness and the knowledge both serve this purpose: to recognise that He is God. Not you. Not your pastor. Not your government. God alone reigns.

Isaiah 46:9–10 (NLT): “I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.”

He is not only present; He is pre-eminent. He is not only near; He is in control.

Charles Stanley said, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”

Why? Because He’s God. His will is sovereign. His love is unfailing. His grace is sufficient.

Life Application:

We are not called to understand everything — but to trust the One who does. And that trust should stir worship, awe, surrender.

The Gospel: The Stillness that Saves

Now, beloved, I must bring us to the cross. Because the greatest stillness the world ever saw was on the day Jesus died.

On the cross, the perfect Son of God bore our sin, took our shame, and cried, “It is finished.” In that moment, the striving ended. The way to peace was opened. The debt was paid. The wrath was satisfied.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NLT): “Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day...”