10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

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

Psalm 46:10-11

Explanation:

In this psalm we have heard of mountains being tossed in the sea. We’ve heard of tidal waves. We have heard of heathen raging, and kingdoms warring. We have heard of bowman, spearmen, and chariots- the worst of military technology leveled against us.

The Psalm culminates into the final two verses that ask us to do a very specific behavior that is the opposite of our natural extinct when faced with these potentially horrific circumstances.

Be still.

The psalmist is saying that when it comes to these kinds of circumstances, action on our part is not necessary. The song declares that God will keep His promises and take care His people. 

Know that I am God.

He is God- the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent Creator and Lord of the Universe. The end of all that Israel was facing is God’s exaltation. He will be exalted among the enemies of Israel. The whole earth will know that He is God.

Then the repeated refrain displays their confidence in God one more time.

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

Application

There comes a point in our lives, in the middle of crisis, where no more can be done to get you out of it. There’s nothing more to put on the task list. There’s not another phone call to make to get you through it. There are some things that man cannot fix. There is a time to be still. No more working. No more trying. No more sweat. Only God can do what needs to be done.

I’m not advocating that you shouldn’t do the right thing at all times. I’m not advocating laziness. I’m not saying that there are some things that we should stop doing.

When we pray and ask God to intervene, we must believe that He will do it. It’s happened to me this week. A friend had a difficulty, and I could not solve it for him. I could not make the outcome he desired happen on my own. There was nothing to do but to be still. The great thing is that God did show up. He had a plan all along. He is exalted in this situation and my friend is closer to God as a result.

The LORD of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.

Response

Thank you Lord for getting us to the point of being still and knowing you are God. I exalt you as healer, interceder, and friend. I thank you for answering my prayers and for growing us. Please help me to trust you when I can’t see a way through. You are our protection. I love you. Amen.