Be Still

It is a Wednesday afternoon as I write this, and it is a little windy as I look out the window. Wind is a marker of spring on the reservation, at least in my observation over the years that we have been here. For most of the year the weather will be calm overnight and wind, if it appears, often waits until the afternoon to arrive.

But spring? Spring days are often breezy early and downright windy in the afternoon and evening. We had one of those days yesterday, where for several hours the wind just howled. 

This past Sunday was Easter and I preached from Psalm 46. The title given to this psalm in my Bible is God Is Our Fortress. It is the same psalm that inspired Martin Luther’s great hymn, A Mighty Fortress. Working from the psalm I brought out the ideas of God as refuge, defender and hope for His children, ideas that I think are crystal clear on Easter. The resurrected Jesus is the refuge, the defender, and the hope for all who turn to Him in faith. Nothing else compares. Ever.

You may have noticed that I emphasized that Jesus is these things for those who turn to him. It is exclusive. If you don’t have time for Jesus then you won’t find refuge, defense or hope from Him. Ever.

But as I studied the psalm I was surprised to see within it an invitation for those who reject God to turn from what is folly, and turn towards Him. It is in verse 10, which begins:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

I used to think that this was a call for believers to rest in the midst of trouble and remember that God remains on His throne. Our world may swirl but He is not moved, and all of His promises remain true.

But the thing I learned as I studied this psalm in order to preach it is that the object of God’s words here are the enemies of God. They are to be still and stop fighting Him. They are to know that He is God. And I think there is the implication that if they thought about it a bit they would see that He is God, He has always been God, and He will always be God.

It is an act of mercy by God to invite His enemies to lay down their weapons and turn to Him. It is a sign of the depth of His goodness to invite those who fight Him to change their allegiance and join the other side, the side of the one who will indeed prevail over all of His enemies.

As a pastor I believe what the Bible teaches regarding the outcome of all fighting against God. The question is, which side you will you be found to be on when that day arrives?

Be still, and know that He invites you to bow down and worship Him, alone, as God.

 

 

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.