Ministry Musing
By Donna Kelly
Be still…
Psalm 46:7-11
“Yahweh is with us – our stronghold is the God of Israel! Come, see what Yahweh has done – God makes the earth bounteous! God has put an end to war, from one end of the earth to the other, breaking bows, splintering spears, and setting Chariots on fire. Be still and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted upon the earth. Yahweh is with us – our stronghold is the God of Israel!”
When my children were small and confusion and anarchy reigned and I wanted them to be still, I have to admit sometimes I would shout at them to be quiet. At other times when they were hurt or upset or angry, I would hold them in my arms and rock them, quietly murmuring shhhh.
In this Psalm, God speaks to us about becoming still in both ways. In vs. 7-9 God shouts at the world around God’s people to calm down and for confusion to cease. God is a fortress who makes wars cease, who breaks the bow, shatters the spear and burns the shields with fire. But God is also the one who holds us close in his arms, gently rocks us and says, “Shhhh, be still and know that I am God.”
In the midst of a fast paced world where each day brings new news of change or uncertainty, most of us have days where we can be so confused we’re not sure where or who we are. Our stress level can be so high, our disappointment so deep, our fear so crippling that we can lose sight of God and who God is. That is when we can listen for our God to shout to the pain, disappointment and fear to back off and calm down. That’s what Jesus did when he calmed the raging storm. In Mark 4 he stood up, and shouted to the storm, “Quiet! Be still!!” and all was calm.
But at other time our God pulls us onto their lap and holds us close like a loving parent. As God gently rocks us back and forth God kisses our brow and says, “Shhh, be still and know that I am your God”.
How do you need God to deal with your storms of life right now? Pause for a moment and think which you need…for God to shout to the storms swirling about you, “Quiet, Be still”. Or for God to hold you close and whisper, “Be still and know”.
There is a song by Peder Eide that touches on this idea of resting in God’s arms.
Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am,
Be still and know,
Be still,
Be…
Though mountains fall, the earth give way, I’ll be your refuge, I’ll be your strength,
Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am,
Be still and know,
Be still,
Be…
Be safe, be loved, because I am sovereign. You are not forgotten, of this you can be sure. I know your hopes, I know your dreams. Rest in my promise that I am here,
Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am,
Be still and know,
Be still,
Be…
May you know the peace and security or resting in God’s arms.
Donna
email Donna at: donna@sotpmail.com