Be Still

Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).  

In December 2015, my wife Katy experienced a CVA (cerebrovascular accident). You are probably unfamiliar with this clinical term and wonder what I’m talking about. But you will immediately understand when I say that Katy had a stroke. Even medical professionals prefer the nontechnical term because it so graphically describes what happens. One is walloped, hammered, and pounded. Wham!

In the prime of life, Katy was suddenly struck down and left immobile. The consequences were devastating for Katy, of course, but also for me. It was a game-changing moment for both of us causing us to readjust everything (!) to deal with the new reality. Slowly, I began to realize that my job description had been rewritten. My primary role in life now was that of caregiver. Adapting to Katy’s new physical and mental condition, as well as learning to live with a wheelchair, brought our lives and ministries to a painful crawl.    

Perhaps six weeks after the stroke, a friend named “Freddy” came to visit us in the rehab hospital. Freddy was well known in our community as the guy who often drove a horse and buggy around town. This caused many to think he was a bit odd and eccentric, but for Katy and me, it made him unique and special. That day in the hospital, Freddy gave me some of the wisest counsel I have ever received in my life.  

Freddy: “Life has slowed down for you, hasn’t it, Stan.”

Me: “Yeah. It seems that all I do these days is travel back and forth to the hospital. It now appears that the wheelchair is here to stay. Our lives have slowed to a snail's pace.”  

Freddy: “I get it. But you know, Stan; when you travel in a horse and buggy like I do, you have the opportunity to see things along the road that people rushing by in cars don’t even know are there!”

Full stop! 

I want to encourage you to pause right now and reflect on what Freddy said. Go ahead… I’ll wait.

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In Psalm 46, the psalmist, writing during a season of great turbulence and danger, expresses his deepest hopes and fears as he seeks to cope with a very difficult and painful situation.Things are falling apart and it seems that all hell is breaking loose. Rather than succumbing to panic, depression, or despair, he chooses to go limp and put his trust in God. In other words, he takes a deep breath, slows down, and quiets his soul in the presence of God. This enables him to see what most people don’t even know is there! The slower pace makes it possible to discern God’s hand at work in the midst of the calamitous journey of life!

1 God is our refuge and strength,

 a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, 

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

 though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 

the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

 God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; 

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us; 

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, 

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; 

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,

 I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

The psalmist has discovered how to experience peace in the midst of conflict, joy in the midst of suffering, hope in the midst of chaos. And, like my friend Freddy, he wants to share this amazing discovery with those around him who are encountering similar challenges. His wise counsel can be summarized in two simple encouragements for those who find themselves in the midst of a difficult situation:

• Come, behold the works of the Lord (v. 8). 

  
  

In the midst of life’s catastrophes, contemplate God’s track record in human history. Think about all that he has done. Even if the earth is shaking and the waters are roaring, our God can handle this. Yes, the dangers are real but God’s purposes always prevail – always! As E. Stanley Jones loved to say: we worship an unchanging person (Heb. 13:8) and therefore we inhabit an unshakeable kingdom (Heb. 12:28).  

• Be still and know that I am God (v. 10). 

Go limp. Don’t just do something, stand there! Take a deep breath and relax. Don’t be controlled by your fears. Chill. The Lord of hosts (armies) is with us! In urging us to know God, the psalmist is not telling us to gain more information about him. Rather, he is pleading with us to get up close and personal, face to face, with the only one who can help us in times like these. Salvation comes not so much in knowing what God can do.  It comes rather in knowing who God is! 

Dear friend, I don’t know what crisis you may be facing today, but I would like to give you a word of counsel similar to what Freddy gave me: be still and let God be God! Those who trust in God are never disappointed (see Rom. 10:11). Speed is overrated. Those who insist on living in the fast lane, don’t even know what they are missing. So slow down and keep your eyes open. Let God handle this. His promises never fail. He’s got this! And in the process, you may even find the ability to enjoy the journey.