Be Still and Know

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Psalm 46:10a
Psalters: 204, 405, 126, 100
  1. The occasion.
    1. There are many troubles in the lives of God’s people and in His church.
      1. The church and each saint faces an enemy called the world.
        1. The world sometimes attacks with fierce anger, mocking, ridiculing and persecuting.
        2. And the world sometimes attacks with sweet allurements.
      2. Satan and his host are behind every scheme and every attack.
    2. In addition, God is pleased to bring into the lives of His people and His church troubles and sorrows, pains and hurts.
      1. These come in many different forms and in numerous shapes.
      2. God brings difficulties which occasion fears about the present and the future.
  2. God issues the command: “Be still.”
    1. The implication is that we want to fight against the foe or the cause of our pain and sorrow.
      1. We become angry and frustrated, rise in rebellion; we conclude that we have the right to be angry and to get even.
      2. We claim the right to know why He is doing what He is doing and that He really does not have wisdom.
    2. Not that we be like stones, unconcerned about the commotions in the earth and stoic before God’s judgments.
      1. Rather the command calls us to be quiet and easy, resigned to God’s will and live assured of God’s love.
      2. There is no room for objection or complaint against God.
      3. And our silence is a positive consent or agreement.
    3. Implied in the activity of being still is the humble realization that I am naturally foolish.
  3. The reason for being silent is the knowledge that God is God!
    1. Our ability to obey this command arises out of our knowledge: “know.”
    2. Know the simple but most powerful truth that Jehovah is God.
      1. “God” is the supreme One Who is filled with every perfection and is infinitely so.
      2. The psalm speaks of God as Jehovah of hosts (7), sovereign in creation (2,3).
      3. He speaks of God’s sovereignty over the enemies of God’s church and of God’s people (5-7).
    3. Because He is God, we keep still before Him!
      1. Bow before His majesty and listen to His Word declare His wondrous works.
      2. And then praise Him Who only blessings us with every spiritual blessing!