Be Still!!!

1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.

10 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

I love seeing our God described here in this Psalm. In verse 1 He is described as “our refuge and our strength”, and our helper in time of need. As we see and understand Him we gain confidence and become assured that there is no need to fear. God is big, bigger than we can imagine. He is Almighty, Sovereign, Omniscient, Omnipotent, and yes, He is always good to His beloved… So, “Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.” Even if the nations rage, even if everything seems to go against us, “The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge!” What great encouragement we find in that our unchanging God is the God of Jacob, the God of Israel. “Come behold the works of the Lord…” Did He not deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through many signs and wonders? The plagues were poured out, the great sea parted, the pillar of fire led them by night, the cloud by day, manna was rained down from the heavens, water burst forth from the rock. “Behold the works of the Lord…” and “Be still!” Stop your fretting! Be at peace! “Know that I am God”, and be strengthened by His past grace, that you may also hope in His future grace. “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Take hold of this promise. The Lord will be exalted. He will fight for His names sake. He will not abandon His people for His name shall not be shamed.

The Lord our God is our refuge… Therefore, Be Still!!!

J. C. Hahne