When I’m busy, when I’m sad, when I’m anxious… when life’s complicated, when life’s frustrating, when life’s overwhelming… I remember the words of the Psalmist: ‘Be still and know that I am God.’
Be still and know
That the Lord is in control
Be still, my soul
Stand and watch as giants fall
The two must go together: When I’m still I know that God’s in control; when I know that God’s in control then I’m still. If I stop being still then I can lose sight of the God that’s in control; If I forget that God’s in control then my heart is no longer still.
Be still and trust
What the Lord has said is done
Find rest, don’t strive
Watch as faith and grace align
The context is all important. Psalm 46 starts with a description of God: ‘…our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’ It talks about a strong God who’s with his people, helping them, taking away their fear.
It describes a troubled world at war: ‘Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall.’ In all of this God is present, God is powerful, God is in control. It’s in the context of the strong, refuge God and a troubled warring world that I can ‘be still and know that I am God’.
I won’t be afraid for You are here
You silence all my fear
I won’t be afraid, You don’t let go
Be still my heart and know
I won’t be afraid.
‘Be Still’ is a paradox. I make an active decision to be passive. I trust by saying, ‘I won’t be afraid’… My weakness and fear comes alongside God’s strength and reassurance. My faith aligned with God’s grace. It’s then that I know God’s love, mercy, peace and kindness; I know that God is God.
Surely love and mercy
Your peace and kindness
Will follow me
Will follow me
Your love surrounds me
Your love surrounds me here
malcolmsmusings.org 
Beautiful, Malcolm!
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Thanks, Wynne. I guess this summarises an important part of my faith…
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And an important part of what having faith can do!
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Being still and knowing God works both ways! When I am still, it’s easier to know God. And when I know God, I tend to be still. What a fresh way to look at this, Malcolm! It’s like 2+2=4, from either end.
Blessings.
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I like 4=2+2. It’s pretty obvious – but too often we miss it!
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Beautifully and passionately sung hymn. Thank you for this calming message. 🙂
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I sometimes feel that I’m so busy, Nancy, in my mind and body, that I just need to be still…. But then I need to work out what that means or looks like.
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This is so beautiful! And yes, they go hand in hand.
Psalm 46:1 was written in bold and big letters at the top of our blackboard when I was in first grade at the Christian Academy of Manila (back in 1980).
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The whole Psalm 46 message stays with uis through the different ages and stages of our lives… and remains a constant powerful reassurance.
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