 A Familiar Phrase
Be still, and know that I am God: Psalm 46:10 I would venture to say that most of us are very familiar with this phrase as it is used in a myriad of objects, from tumblers to art work. Sometimes there is a danger when we become too familiar with something, it can lose power or presence. We might lose sight of what it means or what it can do. This is why it is important to study the word of God especially in its context. Just as a realtor stresses location, location, location. I like to stress context, context, context because this helps us gain a better understanding of the meaning of a verse and why it was placed in that particular spot. I remember reading hearing someone say that this verse was a battle cry and when I heard them say that I thought that was ridiculous but as I have studied and meditated on this verse I will say that there is some validity to their conclusion but that is not all that is contained here. I will circle back to this idea in a moment but first let’s read the preceding verses of verse 10 to help us set the stage. 1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6 The heathen 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, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. There are a lot of things mentioned in these verses that could cause chaos, fear, and anxiety. The earth is moved which makes me think of earthquakes. The mountains are carried into the sea perhaps a volcano eruption like the island of Pompeii. The waters roar, I think of a hurricane or tsunami. Notice that there is a Selah, meditate on this. Mediate on what? Who God is. The heathen rage, kingdoms are moved but still God is with us, He is our refuge. Again, Selah. Meditate on this fact. Then there is a focus on His power and His person. Now let’s read verse 10 again along with verse 11: 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. Is this a battle cry? Yes, because the Psalmist is saying that in the midst of absolute chaos and fear we don’t have to yield, in fact, we can rise up as if in battle and sing the praises of our God. Just as Moses said in Exodus 14, Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord when Israel was in a full panic attack as Egypt's army was pressing in behind them. Moses sounded the battle cry spreading his arms out as God parted the Red Sea, their path of deliverance. But with both of these passages there is one common denominator, a prerequisite to the battle cry. Be still. Stand still. Just as Israel could not witness God’s power when they were running around in fear, neither can we. We will remain restless, fearful, and defeated until we are still before God. So what does it mean to be still and know that He is God? What does it mean to be still and know that He is God and how does this impact our lives? Let’s start with the phrase be still, in the Hebrew it is one word which means to refrain, to let alone meaning to do nothing, to be quiet. Though everyone may not admit it, many of us have a fear or dread of stillness. We have become so used to noise that we keep things running on a regular basis, even at night. How many run a fan at night not because you are hot but because you enjoy the white noise? I am raising my hand. What is it about silence that makes us so uncomfortable? Perhaps it's the lack of stimulation our brains have become accustomed to. Maybe it's the fact that we can hear our own thoughts or we start to think about things we would rather forget. Silence can also pave the way for contemplation as we consider what kind of person we are and we want to avoid that too. Many have even started wearing their earbuds or AirPods constantly because they dread the silence so much. I’m afraid we tend to view silence as an enemy that must be conquered, but what if silence were not the enemy but noise? The enemy of our souls already knows the answer which is why as Elizabeth Elliott says: The devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise, hurry, crowds. He will not allow quietness. Our world is full of noise from traffic sounds, to loud music everywhere we go, and even the sound of conversation. We are also a busy people, kept running from one thing to the next and there tends to be an abundance of crowds whether we go to the grocery store or just for a stroll downtown. Satan delights in our lack of stillness because he knows if we truly understood the power of the quiet place our lives would be transformed. Truly, silence is the necessary path to knowing God but it is a path we are afraid to take. Often we behave like the prophet Jonah who knew what God wanted from him but chose to run in the opposite direction. We would rather take another scroll through Facebook instead of sitting quietly with our Bibles, but only one will allow us to know God. So how do we stop running from the silence and instead learn to embrace it? First we need to retrain our mind and soul from viewing silence as something to be avoided and instead see it for what it truly is, an invitation from God to know Him. There is no other God who does what our does, desires to be known. All other leaders of religion hid behind some shroud of mystery but our God rent the veil in two just so we could enter boldly into His presence. When Moses asked to see God’s glory he was not denied. Consider that we don’t even have to earn the right to know Him. As His children, He, like any good father, wants His children to be near and have a relationship with Him. Silence is the necessary means to developing a relationship with our Heavenly Father. The necessity of stillness Young Samuel is a wonderful reminder of the necessity of stillness: Speak Lord for thy servant heareth. Eli knew that the boy would not be able to hear God until he stopped talking and was intentional about listening. Stillness takes intention, it does not just happen by chance, we have to plan for it. It requires that we leave our phone on silent and perhaps don’t even take it with us when we are having our quiet time. Sadly, these devices, meant to make our lives easier and keep us more connected, are part of the reason we are so disconnected with God. Their endless notifications and vibrating grab our attention even going so far as to form an addiction to having to know right at that moment what that notification represents. The enemy of our souls is not asleep but busier than ever in cultivating new distractions for us. We must be vigilant and diligent regarding these constant distractions that are seemingly bombarding us on every side. Just as Samuel went back to his bed and was ready when God spoke to him again, we too must enter our quiet time with a plan of action to ensure we can succeed. A plan for stillness Let’s go back to the definition of be still. To refrain, to let alone meaning to do nothing, to be quiet. The word refrain means to stop oneself from doing something. What are some things we need to stop ourselves from doing when we are in the quiet place? Perhaps it is looking at our phones or thinking about something that we need to do and refrain from the urge to get up at that moment and doing it. What does it mean to let alone? Here it indicates the need to do nothing, to be quiet. There is something interesting that happens when silence appears, you remember every chore that needs to be done and your mind is flooded with a million questions from the meaning of life and whether or not you took out the ground beef you want to use for dinner tonight. To help with this, I keep a small notebook nearby where I can jot down something really important so I can empty my mind but have a means of remembering it later. We must make the choice to quiet our mind and hearts before God so that we will be prepared to hear and learn the message He has for us, just as He did for Samuel. This is our time to leave all earthly cares behind and enter into the heavenly realm so that we can be better equipped to serve on earth. Being still takes intention and planning paired with one other key ingredient, desire. Be still is God’s invitation to know Him but if we don’t desire it we will never put in the effort to accept it. Whatever we desire is what fuels which direction we go and how much effort we put forth. Again, the prophet Jonah had no desire to do the will of God so he ran the opposite direction which led to nothing but disaster and despair. My friends, can I tell you that as long as you run from the silence, from being still, your outcome will be the same. We will never experience all that God has for us if we don’t yield our lives to Him, but we can’t surrender to someone we don’t know and Satan understands this which is why He makes it his business to keep us busy and distracted. It will take work to be still but the rewards or results of being intentional about our quiet time, our moment of stillness, are great. What are the results of stillness? We will know God. I want us to stop and consider for a moment what that means. When we know someone we can finish their sentences, we know what makes them smile, what makes them sad, where they like to go and do. This is what God desires from us, to know Him, His character, what things He delights in, what things grieve His heart, and the meaning behind the names of His that He has revealed to us in His Word. We will also learn the heart of our God both in who He is and His desires toward us. We will discover He loves us with an everlasting love and withholds no good thing to them who walk up rightly. We will understand that He gives peaceful sleep and sweet rest. He provides us with hope, mercy, and forgiveness to all who ask. We will also learn about the beautiful home He has prepared for us where we will spend all eternity delighting in His very presence. This is just a few of the things we will learn when we practice being still and knowing God. I want to share an interesting passage from Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Did you catch it? What are we supposed to glory in? Not our wisdom, might, or riches but in our understanding and knowledge of God. When I read that for the first time I was amazed, in fact I had no idea that it was in the Bible. But here God is telling us that knowing Him is something we can glory in, in our knowledge of God. Enduring Word Commentary said that to glory in something is to celebrate it, and to proclaim it as the source of one’s happiness and satisfaction. That’s why God said not to find your happiness or satisfaction in wisdom, might, or riches because they don’t last. Only our knowledge of God can do that. Why, because it is the foundation upon which we build our entire life and this knowledge of God enables us to weather any storm and helps us keep our eyes on what matters. Knowing God is a lifetime pursuit, a worthwhile one, that is deserving of all our resources, energy, and effort. Truly it is the only pursuit that matters because it makes all the difference in eternity but it can only be achieved when we choose to be still so that we can begin our journey of knowing Him. It is our knowledge of God that keeps us grounded while on earth, it allows us to stand in the midst of fear and sound the battle cry. It also prepares us for eternity when we will finally see with our eyes the One we have been seeking to know by heart.  Scavenger hunts are a fun activity but they do require a lot of energy plus a good eye as I found out when my teen group was given a list of items we needed to complete. Our biggest challenge was the fact that it all had to be caught on video via the camcorder we were given(those were the days before cell phones had good cameras!). I remember going all over town, from the local mall where one of the guys had to propose to a manikin (definitely memorable) to having to get three cars to honk (slightly embarrassing). In many ways scavenger hunts are designed to create memories and encourage us to do something we never did. On the first Christmas so many years ago there was a group of shepherds who were about to go on the first Christmas scavenger hunt only theirs would lead to a life changing encounter.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8 Though they are key to any Christmas play, the shepherds rarely have a leading role or even a speaking part. I believe the sheep are more noticed than they are and get a bonus line or two. In the Gospel of Luke, however, these simple keepers of the flocks are critical to the story and teach us something about pursuing truth. A list of clues That first Christmas night started out like any other boring evening as these sheep guardians prepared for another round of guard duty over their fluffy companions. They never could have guessed the events they would witness, ones that would be retold and replayed for thousands of years. They had no idea of the impact it would have on the world. Perhaps what would amaze readers more than anything is the fact that they were even part of it at all. These were shepherds, no one of importance yet they were the chosen audience to hear the news that the Prince of Peace had finally come to earth as well as the first to declare the news of Jesus’ birth to the world. Though considered a lower or inferior class by many, they were anything but as they took in the heavenly message. They immediately understood that the Lord had revealed a great revelation to them. “…Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Luke 2:15 They didn’t pause to wonder if this was really true, that what they had seen was perhaps a figment of their imagination. They saw and believed without question or reservation. This realization led them to forsake their flock, their livelihood, in order to pursue the truth of what had just been told to them by the angel. They walked away from their responsibility to see a miracle, a promise fulfilled. What is interesting to note is the fact that while the angel told them to go and see he did not give them a direct address, only a few clues.
Consider what was involved in this scavenger hunt, after all, they did not have a star to guide them as the wise men did. They had to look all over town asking, seeking, and knocking. What a sight they made, these humble shepherds going around looking for a newborn baby who fit the exact description given them by the angel. True to their trade, these shepherds diligently sought to find the Babe and when they did they were quick to tell others. May we follow the example of these lowly shepherds who left all behind in order to pursue the truth of the heavenly message. We too have been given the good tidings of Jesus Christ, the redeemer of all people and tasked with the same mission as these Bethlehem flock keepers: “And when they had see it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” Luke 2:17 May we be willing to leave behind whatever is holding us back. May we be discerners of truth just as they were and always be in relentless pursuit. Let’s be busy making the Good News known abroad this Christmas and all year long telling other lost sheep that the Good Shepherd has come for them!  I heard my Sunday school teacher say that she shared with her neighbors some of her tomatoes which her garden seemed to have in abundance. Her desire was not only to be kind but also cultivate opportunities to speak with neighbors about the Lord. She made the comment, “The Lord has given me this ministry of tomatoes” and that grabbed my attention. It made me stop and consider that the things we have are not given to us only for our benefit. Our possessions are to be used for God’s glory and my teacher recognized that her surplus of tomatoes could be a blessing to her neighborhood but also open the door for important conversations.
God's philosophy of wealth The American dream is based on the idea of equality, that no matter who you are you can achieve success and status. While there is nothing wrong with making money and enjoying the benefits it brings, the problems begin when we are consumed by it or consume it only upon ourselves. God’s view of wealth is different from ours. In our minds wealth means we can live lavishly but I think the believers in the church of Acts who had surplus had a mentality that was more in line with God’s philosophy of wealth. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (Acts 2:44-46) Those who had extra quickly liquidated it so they could distribute it to those in need. I want to make it clear that I am not saying we have to sell all of our extra and give it away or that we cannot spend money on ourselves. What I am saying is that we should always be ready to help meet a need whenever we are able. This first congregation was ready to help those who were in a financial strain. Maybe they had lost a job, a crop failed, or there was an illness. Whatever the need, this group of believers was there to be a blessing. Means of distribution I remember hearing someone say that God likes to pour into a bag with holes meaning He desires for His people to be a means of distribution. Consider for a moment one of the Old Testament ways of providing for the poor and the widows. At harvest time, those with fields were not to glean every single stalk but leave the corners and let them follow behind to gather the pieces that fell from the workers. This was one of the ways God met the needs of His people through others. The New Testament believers were updating the method of provision by intentionally giving to those in need instead of investing more in themselves. These acts of care and compassion surely did not go unnoticed by the community. Imagine what went through the mind of the person who bought from one of the believers and heard that they were selling so they could help someone else. To a lost individual that must have seemed crazy but it also illustrated the transformation that takes place in the life of someone who is saved. Our life is meant to be a testimony of what happens when Jesus is King or at least, it should. If we live for ourselves, hoarding the resources God has given to us instead of asking Him how we can best use it for His glory, are we making an impact? I desire to be a funnel, a bag with holes that God can use to meet the needs of others and perhaps be an answer to prayer. My possessions are not mine, they have been bestowed upon me so that, yes my needs are met, but also so I can help others when I am able. An real life illustration When I was a teenager, my mom came home after paying a call to a new visitor in our church. She and her friend were greeted by a young mom of three whose husband was currently deployed. This mother was embarrassed to invite them in because there was barely any place to sit not because the house was messy but because there was no furniture. Bill collectors had come and taken most of their belongings including beds for the children. When my mom shared this with my dad, they immediately went into action. We packed our spare bedroom set from the guest room including the mattress, bedding, and decorations along with an extra desk and computer. We phoned another couple in our church and asked if they could help. They gave us a bunk bed along with a few other items. My parents also went out and bought some additional furnishings and delivered it to this family. She was a puddle of tears as she watched this couple she didn’t know provide a desperate need. This mother continued to come to church and soon opened her heart to Jesus. When her husband came home he was so moved by what these people from church had done that he attended a service and gave His life to Christ as well. The last we heard they were busy serving in the church and raising their children to God’s glory. A ministry of tomatoes How different this story might have been if not for some believers rallying together to meet a need by giving of their surplus, their tomatoes you might say, and even giving sacrificially. May I be so bold as to say, there is no place for hoarders in God’s kingdom, only givers. This does not mean we give to every need we see or read about. After all there are countless advertisements in the mail and on television vying for our money but we should be ready to give as God leads. We can also be a mediator like when my parents brought this need to the attention of others who joined in giving. We may never know the eternal difference our gift makes when we let God guide our giving but may we live eager to obey. May we recognize that what we have is also a gift from Him, our ministry of tomatoes. |
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