April 30, 2025
Be Silent, Be Still
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10
Being still has always been difficult for me. I was a hyperactive kid and being still was like a punishment to me. Even today, when I am still, something will be moving. Most likely, I’ll be doing that thing with my leg where I have my tip toes on the ground and I’m nervously bouncing my leg. It’s one of those nervous habits that we all find ourselves doing.
As difficult as it is for me to be physically still, the concept of being still before God is even more challenging.
Maybe you’re like me in that you’ll do anything you can just to keep your mind occupied and keep yourself so busy that you don’t have time to be alone before God.
Honestly, the thought can be terrifying at times, being alone before an almighty and all-knowing God. You feel as if you’ll be exposed or laid bare before a disapproving God. And, really, that has nothing to do with God but our faulty perception of God. Many of us view Him as a cosmic cop waiting to report all the things we’re doing wrong.
As I write this, I know that someone needs to hear what I’m about to say: God is not down on you. Yes, He’s holy and, yes, He hates sin. But He loved you so much that He made a way for you to have an intimate and eternal relationship with you. He loved you so much that He allowed His one and only Son to go to the cross for your sins and mine and then be resurrected from the grave on the third day to forever defeat the power of sin and death in your life.
He loves you, He loves you, He loves you! Let that thought wash over you today!
As far as this passage goes, as I was studying one of my favorite commentaries - Enduring Word - I learned something about this passage that I never knew. Actually, it’s not talking about physically being still before the Lord.
If you read the passage in context, the passage begins (as we discussed in our devotion on Psalm 46:1-3) with God as our refuge and it focuses on the provision of God. Then it shifts to the glory of God in the next several verses, including our focal verse here (verse 10).
Literally what God is saying to us through the psalmist is, “Be silent.” Stop arguing with God, stop offering your excuses before God. He’s saying stop arguing and surrender before Him.
He adds that He will be exalted among the nations and in all the earth. He’s about bringing glory and honor to His name among the nations. And, by the way, He’s going to bring glory and honor to His name in your life. But you need to stop arguing with him over your life and circumstances. Stop offering excuses why you can’t do what you know He’s calling you to do. Stop playing it safe, trying to work your plan for your life.
Just stop! Be still. Surrender your plans, your will, your life to Him. And He will lift you up so that His name will be exalted.