Since moving across the country this past month; I have relied on this very psalm for reminders of God’s leading, provision, protection, and strength.  Where God guides us, He is always with us and is ready to help us before we even know we need His help. I love this and many other characteristics of our God.  God is mighty, majestic, can move mountains with just a word and defeat our foes in power; but this same God also bends down to listen to the cries of those whose hearts are committed to Him and search for His wisdom for life.  The words of the song declare who God is with how He provides for us.  God is a dependable haven for His people when everything around them seems to be falling apart. What blessed assurance when we realize the depth of His love for us!

Psalm 46, NIV

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. (type of song.)

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸ Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰ He says, “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 Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

What we learn God is with us always even when we don’t feel it, see it, or recognize it with our hearts when all around us is chaos and calamity which evil uses to block our view. 

We learn God’s command in troubles is to BE STILL and KNOW WHO HE IS!  

We learn we complicate life when we rush to fix problems with weak human ways using manipulation methods of pushing people to do things our way as we demand our “rights”.  But God says; be still, let go of all we think. Seek to know who God is and how He thinks with a decided desire to do His will. God will help us.  God is ever present and waits for us to be still with all eyes on Him.  Only then will He can guide us through our troubles—His way with His will—which is always the best way!  To God be the glory!  There is no one like our God!

Like the Psalmist reminds all of us; The earth may change, the mountains may be hurled violently into the sea, there may come earthquakes and tidal waves, but all things are in the control of our sovereign Lord.

Our response—

THIS BEARS REPEATING… “Be still” literally means “Take your hands off! Relax!” We like to be “hands-on” people and manage our own lives, but God is God, and we are but His servants. For example, when King Hezekiah and his leaders allowed God to be God, He delivered them from their enemies. The Lord calls Himself “the God of Jacob,” (v. 11).  Remember how often Jacob got into trouble because he got his hands on circumstances and tried to play God? There is a time to obey God and act, but until then, we had better take our hands off and allow Him to work in His own time and His own way. If we seize His promises by faith with both hands, we won’t be able to meddle as much! 

I don’t know about you but it seems our best response is to be still and let go of what we think and watch the God who created all and is in and over all do His best work for our good and His glory!

Lord,

The depth of your Word has touched the innermost parts of my heart this morning.  I will be still, let go, and follow your lead while rejoicing in another day you have made for us to declare your glory at work!

In Jesus Name, Amen