Be Still....

Be Still and Know He Is God

By Joseph Parker

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea (Psalm 46:1-2).

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah (Psalm 46:10-11)

It seems that almost everyone’s attention is focused on the coronavirus and how it’s affecting the world. One might think that not much else of importance is going on in the world at the moment.

Many people today are fearful, worried, being very careful to do the things prescribed by medical professionals – which is probably very wise. Many are also concerned about the economic repercussions of the coronavirus.

People are unsure of their job situation with all that is happening. Business owners are unsure of their futures and all are fearful about what is happening with Wall Street.

Schools are closed or operating remotely, entertainment and sports have largely been canceled, and many other places are not in operation and don’t know when they will be back up and running. There is plenty of worry to go around for everyone. That is, if you choose to worry.

A much wiser and better approach and perspective to decide to take is – trust God. We are very wise to put our faith and trust and hope in God. He is actually the only reliable foundation in the world anyway.

For people who don’t know God this might sound too simple, or sound like a cliché. Yet the reality is – God is our only hope.

During this time, many people are being forced, more or less, to be still. Government leaders at different levels are directing people to stay at home and shelter inside for a time. In the midst of this happening, people are being made to slow down and consider their lives– with all its uncertainties, fears, and challenges.

In fact, many of us do need to reassess everything. What can we believe and who can we trust?

The year 2020 has very quickly caused all of us to look at the world in a whole new light. It has caused all of us to consider certain very important questions. In what can we put our hope and trust? What in our lives is built on solid ground? And what in our lives do we trust that is actually “sinking sand”?

Of course, only God can be relied upon and trusted in a world where everything and everyone else fails.

The wisdom of Psalm 42:11 tells us – “Hope in God…”

For believers, now can be a time of being reminded that our hope and trust is truly to be in God rather than in people, governments, jobs, systems, etc. Now is a great time to recommit your heart and life to the Lord. Tell God daily, speaking it out loud “Lord I trust you.” There is wisdom and power in speaking out of your mouth words of trust rather than words of worry.

Remember, God knew thousands of years before now that what is happening in our culture and world would happen. He is not worried and He is just as much on His throne as He ever was. Yet God is always at work “behind the scenes.”

We are wise to realize and trust that He is at work. We are wise to realize, that He is working out His will. And He is always working things for the good of His children.

Spend time daily reading and meditating on Scripture that encourages your faith and trust in the Lord. Deliberately focus on building your faith and trust in your heavenly Father.

Psalm 46, (the scripture cited at the beginning of this article) ends with the world “Selah.” One of the meanings of this word is “Pause and think about this.” Psalm 46 is well worth doing exactly that – slowing down and considering its wisdom and counsel.

For people who don’t know God, now is probably the best time in the world to come to know Him. God is the only place of stability in this shaky world. If you don’t know God and want to come to know Him, you can do that through receiving His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.