Be Still and Know

Paula — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:52:19 +0000

Just back from Women of Faith. Sheila Walsh used one of my favorite verses in her talk- Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God“. That’s the last verse in a great psalm, but in v. 1-3 we read:

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though its waters roar and be troubled

Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

I think this psalm is to be taken absolutely literally when it speaks of raging water and mountains crumbling at the sound of His voice. However, when I move to personally applying it, I utilize some symbolism. The wild waters are always a picture of the emotional turmoil I find myself in from time to time. The instability, unpredictability… the way the waters cover over and wash away everything familiar… floodwaters that carry uncleanness. In contrast, the mountains are the constants, the things I depend on. So for me, these verses read:

God is my place of absolute security and safety. He is my confidence. He is abundantly available and reliable.

Therefore I should not be afraid, distressed, depressed.

Even when I have found my own resources to be nonexistent, and everything else I have confidence in- my judgment, my perceptions, my ability to reason things through- is swept into the maelstrom.

Even when it is at its worst…

Be still- stop trying to fix this yourself, stop wearing yourself out…

and know- when you stop, then you will realize at the very core of your being

that I AM – your place of absolute security and safety, your confidence. I AM abundantly available and reliable.

Paula Wiseman » Sheila Walsh

Be Still and Know