Be Still and Know

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! ¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah"

Psalm 46:10-11

During prayer I was reminded of these verses and had forgotten they had been included in my sermon notes!  It was good to meditate on these verses, and this meditation has nothing to do with repeating a particular word or phrase.  Meditation for a Christian involves conscious thought.  Depending on where the stress is placed, God opens new avenues of thought.

God's command to those whose world is coming apart at the seams is to look to Him in trust and reliance is to "Be still."  Instead of rushing around trying to scheme or save, look to the Saviour.  We can "know" God alone is our Saviour, having received the truth of His Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit.  He says "I am God," not because He is shaking Himself from sleep or is in the midst of a identity crisis, but in times of crisis it is we who often forget.  God always keeps His word without fail.

When God says, "I will," we can view it as already done.  He "will be exalted among the nations" regardless if it seems like it or not.  Being the Almighty our God IS exalted, but am I exalting Him by faith and obedience?  This reminds me of the Christian's sanctification:  it is finished in the sense we are set apart unto God, but we also share a responsibility to sanctify ourselves in obedience to Him.  God is exalted, and we do well to exalt Him personally too.  God "will be exalted in the earth," and He graciously uses followers of Jesus Christ to that end.  In fact, even heathen kings like Pharaoh were used mightily by God to show His power, strength, and salvation.

Isn't it good to know the LORD of hosts is with us?  The eternal King is with us, and through faith in Christ He dwells in us.  The God who appeared to Jacob and changed His name to Israel is the God who is faithful to His promise and transforms us.  Like the location of a fortified bunker is known to the owner, so God is known by us.  At all times we can seek refuge in Him and find a supply of wisdom, help, refreshment, protection, and sustaining strength foreign to the world.  He skips across mountains at the sound of our voice, the voice of His beloved.  How gracious and good our God is, and let us be still and know that He is God--not us.