EMPOWERING LIVES WITH PURPOSE:
Debra Eddings, Guest Writer
“I Can Be Still”
“Be still and know that I am God.” [Psalm 46:10, NIV]
This has to be among the Top 5 most famous verses in the Bible. And it is known by both those with a deep faith in God and those who barely believe. We see it on beautiful wall hangings, pictures, embroidery projects, t-shirts, bookmarks and even tattoos. It is displayed in prominent places, so it is sure to be seen and can remind us of the truth that it is. Or maybe it is tucked in our Bibles to be at the ready for some daily encouragement.
But do we grasp it? I mean really believe it to the point that we live it naturally. It’s a hard one. It’s not natural. Our natural reaction is to fret and worry, throw a tantrum or maybe just pout. So how do we get to have this truth woven into the natural fabric of our being? Well, there’s a reason this is verse 10 and not verse 1.
We have to go back to the very beginning of this Psalm for us to be reminded about who this God is that we are supposed to put so much trust in. Verse 1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” [NIV]
He is our refuge, “a safe place to hide”, the Message translation tells us. When we go to Him, He protects us. When we run to Him, HE decides what can get to us.
He is our strength. So, if it gets to us, HE will help us handle it. When we feel like we just can’t do it anymore, He can. When we don’t think we can take one more step, He picks us up. When our emotional strength is drained, He fills us up with His.
He is an ever-present help, always there. Never not there. Sometimes we feel like we’re in it alone. We are not. He is there in the middle of our darkest moment. He is there in the circumstance we can’t change. He is there to hold us, cry with us, give us wisdom and direction.
A little further down verse 5 says, “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” Now the “her” here is referring to Jerusalem, but what if you put your name in its place? I think it would be ok and still very true.
God is within DEB, DEB will not fall; God will help DEB at break of day.
Wow! That makes it a little easier for me just to be still.