Be Still

“Be still, and know that I am God:…” – Ps. 46:10 KJV

The scriptural text today is a strong but simple advice from the Psalmist. He prescribes the mood a Christian should be in times of troubles and challenges. This are times when the storms of life are hitting us from all angles. When it seems all the armies of the world have decided to focus their arsenal on us. When it is clear that we are helpless and are only at the mercy of the opposing force. It is at times like this that the Psalmist says we should be calm.

To be calm is not to be nervous, angry or anxious. This could be nearly impossible in a scenario similar to the one presented above or even worse scenarios. How can someone be without nerves in a life threatening situation or not be angry in a very annoying situation or anxious when bills are mounting and creditors are threatening? Such a person will have to be blind and deaf and so cannot be affected by environmental activities or be dead to feelings but thankfully the Psalmist is not expecting us to become any of the above. Instead he wants us to be aware of who we are or what is around us at those times – Ps. 27:1-3. He wants us to realise that no matter the number of weapons deployed against us, we need not fear as those with us are more than those against us – 2Kg. 6:16.

The psalmist reminds us about three great attributes of God that is of relevance in times like these. He says that God is a refuge, strength and a present help – Ps. 46:1. Christians need to know this about God at all times especially in difficult times and all they need to do is to remain in Him, trust Him and believe in His ability to be victorious in all battles – Ex. 15:3. Really, why should one fear when you know that even though it is your battle you, are not involved with fighting it and that you have a reliable support that is more powerful than the situation.

Christians today are failing to prove that they know him in the way they react in those critical times when they should actually be proudly showcasing these great attributes of our God. The Psalmist in 47:1 says as a refuge, the first thing he will do is to immediately protect from the effect of those negative activities targeted at us. It means that they will not come near us as he becomes a shield around us – Ps. 91:10-12.

The Psalmist says he will now become our strength in those times – 2Sam. 22:33-35. So it is not about your ability any longer but His own ability. He deploys all His arsenal against the situation on your behalf. Hell knows that is not the kind of arsenal they want to face as they know they will lose eleven times out of ten times. No power can stand Him as He is the mighty one in battle – Ps. 24:8.

The beautiful thing about all these is that He is always ready which is the third point highlighted in verse 1 of psalm 46. He says the God is a very present help. He does not need time to prepare as He is always present and all He requires is your request for help. He doesn’t just fight, the Psalmist says he fights to the end until the wars have ceased – Ps. 46:9. He does not stop there. He goes ahead to ensure that they do not come back again by carrying out the following actions: He breaks the bow, cuts the spear and burns the chariots of the enemy.

Why then are you not calm when they come against you? Probably because you do not have him as your God in truth or you do not know the God that you serve. He is a mighty God that the heavens and earth adore and angels now before – Rev. 4:10; 7:11.

So in that battle that you are, if you are only a nominal Christian and you have not accepted Him and his Christ into your life, then I can understand why you cannot be calm because it is all a question of time before the storm overcome you. It is however not too late if only you can accept both of them into your life and not your religion, church or spiritual leader. If you believe you have accepted them both but you are still not calm during those times, it means you did not take time to know those you accepted into your life. I advise you start getting to know them from this moment. Yes, you can meet them through the introduction of your spiritual Leader but no better person can introduce them more effectively than the third person in that trinity who is the Holy Spirit. He will do a better introduction by helping to interpret the scriptures during your period of meditation after reading them.

Reach out to them today and your times of nervousness, anger and anxiety will be over instantly as they will take over your battles and peace like you have never experienced will come into your life. May it be so in Jesus name. Amen.