Be Still and Know that I Am God
To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. 1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 8Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:1-3, 8-11)
What's your favorite book ever written? Mine is "East of Eden" written by John Steinbeck and inspired by Cain and Abel. It's a lengthy book that read quickly for me because it was so engaging. Steinbeck is an author of several fine novels, "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men" to name a couple, but he has one that is more of a documentary named "Travels with Charlie" that covers a trip he made through America with a dog named Charlie that is a good read. The only problem is historians have examined events he said he witnessed along his timeline only to discover there are some flaws in his facts. Overall, I like Steinbeck a lot. He is truly one of my favorite writers of fiction.
To that end, what is your favorite book of the bible? Mine is the one I'm reading at the time. If I'm in Isaiah, I love it. If I'm reading the Psalms, it's the Psalms. If it is Romans, it's Romans. If it is Revelations, I turn to another book of the Bible.
This Sunday in the church year (October 26), we pause to observe the Reformation. To that end, we usually read Psalm 46, which is truly one of my favorites because of the single line in verse 10, "Be still and know that I am God." Its roots in our history as Christians (all believers) stems from Luther's analysis of it in writing the song, "A Mighty Fortress." Luther is largely credited with creating the environment that addressed flawed teachings in the church at that time (the only church in Europe - there were "Orthodox Christians" in Western Asia and areas like Greece) which led to The Reformation.
Luther penned "Theses" for people to read by posting them on the door in a church in Germany, 95 in all, believing the debate would be robust and that people would be thrilled to consider changes in the practices of the church. Shortly after this, a price was put on his head and he went into hiding. His dedication the Book of Psalms gave him the inspiration from Psalm 46 to write the hymn we are now familiar with in which he notes that God and God alone is our fortress.
I'm sure you have a favorite passage and book in the bible. Like Luther, I find the Psalms to be inspiring, thought-provoking, reflective, convicting, and saving depending on which one I'm reading.
"Be still and know that I am God," is convicting because it tells us a summary of why we don't follow God's commandments (our current theme in the 10 Commandments). I listen to myself, think I'm God or a god, and find myself in a world of hurt. Then I remember there is a God who is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
Pray with me: Gracious God, you give us your Word to learn about you and your commandments. In many ways, you tell us of your love for us, your desires for us, and your mercy and forgiveness when we lead ourselves astray. You've also given us Your Word, Jesus Christ, to save us since we cannot do so ourselves. Thank you in measures no words can capture for your redeeming gift and your steadfast love for us. In Christ's holy and precious name, Amen.