Psalm 46:10

New International Version (NIV)

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

For meditation

Some years back, I went bird hunting with a big cousin. Usually, we used to lay quiet with our slings ready to shoot at any bird that rested in a tree. Sharp shooting was the skill one needed for this game, and my cousin was an excellent one at that. I just tagged along. On this fateful day, he set ambush in a huge tree and waited for the birds to settle in the branches. I sat on a felled tree below, trying to carve a canoe out of it. For a village boy in the tropical rain forest, far away from the sea I had never seen, I wonder where I was going with that. My cousin asked for some quietness, but I was recalcitrant. He needed me to be still and let the silence settle the birds, but I stubbornly disobeyed. At one point, I lifted the cutlass so high and missed my target. Blood shot out of my knee and the loud scream echoed through the remote forest. It was Sunday morning.

The greatest pollution of the world today is noise, especially, in the metropolitan centers. There is confusion and chaos everywhere – in homes, relationships, neighborhoods, streets, market places, and offices. Our governments don’t have a clue to solving any of these situations; and to divert attention from their corruption and inefficiency, they pick up conflict with other countries and multiply deprivation and poverty among the people. Stress dislodges calm and peace, and things fall apart.

The Psalmist says that in the midst of such a confused and chaotic situation (Ps. 46:2-3), God is our refuge and strength (1). The Most High has a secret place where the distressed saint can find solitude away from the confusion (91:1-2). God is able to make wars cease and disarm the marauding forces of evil (46:8-9).But, we have to be still in His presence to experience this peace and tranquility in the midst of chaos and devastation (10). I like Chuck Swindoll’s comment on this verse.

“I am desperately concerned that we slow down so that each week we carve out time for quietness, solitude, thought, prayer, meditation and soul-searching. Oh, how much agitation will begin to fade away, how insignificant petty differences will seem, how big God will become and how small our troubles will seem. Security, peace and confidence will move right in.”

1. So, are you in “distress or in debt or discontented” (1 Sam. 22:2)?
2. Why don’t you come with your burden to Jesus (Matt 11:28)?
3. Are you stubborn like I was with my cousin?
4. Why wait until you are wounded by your own folly?
5. Is it too much for you to let go some time and activity in order to be with Jesus (Mk. 6:31)?

I pray you respond to His call today without hesitation.

May you trade your busyness for His repose; and may you find peace for your wearied soul in the arms of Jesus, your Savior and Lord.

Shalom