MAXIM: Be Still

The words of Psalm 46 are some of the most arresting (as I suppose they are intended to be) that I find in scripture. There are various renderings and translations out there but, the two that grab me the most go something like this:

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. (KJV)

"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. (NASB)

Be still... Cease striving... Stop fighting... Chill out!

It would appear that there are times when the most effective action to take sounds a lot like taking no action. But don't be fooled. "Be still" is not the same as "do nothing". In fact, it is quite the opposite.

God calls us to a very specific kind of action in this passage, which is to discipline our worried, harried, frightened, overactive selves so that He can direct us and provide for us. And so that we can actually hear that direction, or receive that provision. Instead of flailing around in a manner that is often harmful to ourselves or those around us we are told to stop and look toward the refuge... our tower... the redeemer of our entire life and being. Behold Him and know, way down at the center of your soul, that He is God. He is Good.

Look and see. And be still...