We have all read and heard the famous verse, “Be still, and know that I am God’ I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the Earth.” (Psalms 46:10 NIV)
But have you ever considered what this verse actually means? I know I had not until recently. God has put it on my heart to slow down, and this verse kept coming up repeatedly. (Remember, in another post, we discussed how God speaks to us: Bible reading, prayer, circumstances, and other believers) Psalms 46:10 was everywhere I turned.
*Have you ever had an experience where God continued to put a verse in front of you until you finally got it?
Before we begin, I want you to think about things you deal with daily that drive you crazy. (For me, it would be slow drivers, having to repeat myself, and my child not telling me things until the very last minute.)
In the world we live in, we are constantly busy. There is no such thing as a leisurely Sunday stroll anymore. It is something else if it isn’t work, family, or daily household obligations. As a society, we rarely take the time to slow down. We fill out time with TV, social media, and every child activity we can put our children in. These kinds of things are killing our relationship with God and others, our health, and our well-being.
So, as we dig into Psalms 46:10, consider the things in your life that cause you to put God on the back burner.
Let’s recap a bit. If we research Psalms 46, God has just delivered Judah from war with an enemy. This was a situation where Judah was in over their heads, and God provided for them. They defeated the enemy but ONLY with God’s provision and deliverance, such as when the angel of God destroyed the Assyrians in their camp (2 Chronicles 32:20-21). Verse 8 in Psalms was God’s command to STOP what they were doing and look to see what God had done for them.
Psalms 46:8 Come, behold the works of the Lord (KJV). God is asking us to stop what we are doing (all the things we are consuming ourselves with) and look to see what He has done for us. He wants us to stop pushing, striving, worrying, and running around after the world and LOOK at Him and his works.
So how do we do this?
I believe there are four things we can do to help us really STOP and Look at God.
- Self-Reflect
It is easy to think about all the bad things in our lives or how hard it is. But we must get out of that mindset and consider what we are grateful for.
-Think about what God has done for you in the past two months. List them (even the tiny things.)
God is working even when we cannot see him. Let’s not take our steering wheel from God. Allow him to be the car’s pilot, not the co-pilot or backseat driver.
When things are out of control, is God asking us to stop and solve all these problems or to worry about them? No, He tells us the complete opposite. If we want to rest in stillness and experience the peace of Christ, we must understand it is not our job to be in control, but our job is to know Who is and let him.
Find scripture to support these ideas:
- God will fight our battles
- Knowing that God’s plans are good for you
- God goes before us
- God is present in the stillness
2. Take a Break
Psalms 46:6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
Turn off your social media and news for a little while; this verse shows us that, over time, people have been concerned with what is going on all over the globe. In today’s society, we have news on demand; every second of the day, we are bombarded with something new or breaking news.
Psalms 46 reminds us that God is in control.
The Bible shows us that wars will come and go. We will have issues and troubles, crops die, and nations tremble. This has happened for thousands of years and will continue until Jesus returns. So why are we allowing ourselves to be anxious about what God is in control of?
God says to keep our eyes on him, not the world, and we will not be shaken (Psalms 6:8).
3. Consider the People Around You
Really look at the people around you and consider their lives. Many of them you may know personally (their hills and valleys). Even consider the people you do not know this well. But know that they are works of the Lord.
- List two people you know well, and all God has done for them.
- Stop and ask God to point out two others for you to pray for this weekend.
- Think about organizations, churches, etc., and things they have done for others. Let yourself be in awe of what God has done and is doing in the lives of others.
- Make a note of people you can serve this week.
4. Get Outside
One of my favorite ways to connect with God is to get outside. But regularly, how often do you go out?
No, not walking to the mailbox or your car, but really outside? I do not go out as much as I would like to.
When did you last go outside and enjoy the nature God created?
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19:1 ESV)
3 For the LORD is a great God
and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the Earth;
the heights of the mountains are his, too.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land. (Psalm 95:3-5 ESV)
What other verses or songs make you think about God’s creation.
Consider this quote from Anne Frank.
The best remedy for those afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.- Anne Frank
These four things can help you STOP and consider God and what He is doing for you and around you; Self-Reflect, Take a Break, Consider Others, and Get Outside.
Reflection Questions:
- Where do you need God’s peace today?
- Which of these four ideas do you already have?
- Which of these four ideas are you struggling with?
- Think of a worship song that reminds you of “being still”?
I pray that God helps you stop and consider what he has done for you today. -Ashley
the greenest grass around 
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