Be Still

 "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

I know many who will say that this verse is a treasured one to them. Count me among them. Yet, I'm not sure we have really understand what He is saying in this.

I think most of us believe He is telling us to stop all movement, to be at ease and at rest, and then, as a result, we will have a deeper understanding and knowledge of who He is. I think there is good reasoning in this, but it goes much deeper than we know. The original language here gives as the root meaning for "be still" as "let go." That puts a completely different meaning upon it. God is not telling us to simply stop all movement, both outwardly and inwardly, He is telling us to let go, to fully let go of everything that is happening in the moment. We let it all go....into His hands and out of ours. Whatever it is that is coming against us, be it fear, danger, need, or person or spirit, we let go of the threat, all of it, into His care. His total care. Being still can be challenging to us, but letting go can seem impossible. That takes a surrendered trust. Especially when it's to a God that we know far more by reputation than by experience.

This is where the second part of the Scripture takes on a much deeper meaning. I believe the Father is telling us that if we dare to let go of whatever it is that is stealing our peace and joy, we will not just experience more of His peace and joy, we will experience Him. We will know Him in much deeper ways than we ever could while we held onto the problem and tried to "worry" it out by our own strength.

There's an old saying, much used, that says, "Let go and let God." That's good advice, but even better is this, "Let go and know God." Let go and behold what He does in response to our trust. Let go and learn of Him in ways we never knew before. Let go and enter into a deeper walk than we've ever had before. Wonders await in the trials of life, but the doorway to discovering them begins with our letting go.

Blessings,
Pastor O