Are you a battler? Do you argue at every turn with the ones you already know to be right? We simply have a need to be scrappy. No one can counsel us, no one knows better than us, and certainly no one shall tell us how to run our lives. This is not a just a denominational problem or a cultural problem or a societal problem. It is a human problem and it creates an enormous load of unnecessary baggage and heartache.
Psalm 46:10New International Version (NIV)
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
Exploring great verses of Scriptures and studying the possible meanings often brings renewed comfort for the soul and deeper understanding of the human condition. So it is with this verse found in the book of Psalms. David, the assumed author, is one of the most studied and dichotomous characters of Jewish literature. A great warrior and king, his lineage to the person of Jesus Christ is presented in the New Testament’s Gospels. But, King David was also a man of exquisite writing skills expressing elements of peace and calm in his society’s volatile environment. The Jewish rendering of “be still” is often “cease striving”. Relax, accept, understand that I am God. In this context the required action is passive. “Just stop and shut up for a minute, listen to me.”
But another response which requires initiative on the reader’s part is to view this with more emphasis on “know that I am God”. The God of the Jews is telling us in no uncertain terms who He is and that He indeed is Lord of the universe, of all nations and of all peoples. He is saying, “Relax, I’ve got this under control because I am God, not just your God but everybody’s God.” The act of accepting and knowing has to be accomplished in the stillness of God’s presence. This is not just a Jewish or Christian obedience; it is part of any faith’s supplication to the entity called God.
And therein we can find peace within. The inherent human need to challenge, to argue, to dispute spiritual matters can readily be appeased and need not be a part of our inner sanctum. First, be still. But then, know the truth of your God.
Very often we have said, “I am going to let God control my life.” Truly, does God need us to give control to him? Maybe we need to kick back and understand that He is in control. Matters not if we give him control. He’s already got us covered. The peace within happens when we accept that.
lpb quest - the twilight dance 