Scipture

Psalm 46:10 

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heather, I will be exalted in the earth.

Observation

In this powerful verse, we are called to "be still," a phrase rooted in the Hebrew word "raphah," which carries profound meaning: to cease striving, to let go, to surrender. The Lord is inviting us to stop whatever we are doing, to release the anxieties that burden our minds and weigh down our hearts. It's as if He is calling us to a place of total surrender—a place where we let go of our own strength, will, and power, and instead, become vulnerable at His feet.

God's invitation to "be still" is not just about physical stillness; it's about spiritual surrender. It's a call to release our grip on the things that we cannot control and to trust fully in the One who can. In this act of surrender, we find the strength we need - not our own strength, but His. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV), "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." It is in our moments of weakness, when we let go and acknowledge our dependence on God, that His power is most evident and most perfect.

God doesn't merely ask us to be still and to let go; He commands us to do so with the knowledge that He is God. He is not just any god; He is the Creator of the universe, the Provider of all our needs, the Protector who shields us from harm, and the Preserver who sustains us through all of life's challenges. Everything is under His control, and nothing escapes His notice. In this assurance, we find peace, knowing that He is working all things for our good, even when we cannot see it.

Through this text, God encourages us to step back and trust Him completely, even in the midst of life's storms. He reminds us that He is the one who calms the seas, who shuts the mouths of lions, who parts the waters, and who rains down manna from heaven. In our darkest moments, He is the Father who cares more deeply for us than any earthly parent ever could. He is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, guiding our steps and lighting our path.

To "be still" means to cease our striving and to place ourselves, feeble and weak, at His feet. It is in this surrender that we are perfected by His power, as He works in us and through us in ways we could never imagine on our own. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) reminds us, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

So, let us be still. Let us know, beyond all doubt, that He is God. Let us trust in His perfect power, and in doing so, find the peace and strength that only He can provide.

What humbles me even more about this text is the promise in the latter part of the verse. When we choose to be still, when we place our full confidence in God and surrender completely to Him, He promises that He will be exalted - not just in our own lives - but throughout the earth, even among the nations. Our faith and our decision to trust in who He says He is have a profound impact beyond ourselves. Our surrender becomes a testimony, allowing others to witness and experience God's power in their own lives. Through our quiet trust, His glory is revealed, and others are drawn to the majesty of His name.

Application

Think about how you will best apply this scripture in your life. Here are prompt questions to ponder on:

• What is worrysome to you currently in your life?
• How would you like the LORD to show himself to you in this current season?
• Have you taken an intentional moment to be still or surrender fully to God? If not, why? If yes, how?
• What does being still, feeble in the LORD look like for you going forward?

Think about a glitter word (trigger word for positive behavior or happy feelings) that will help you to stay in God's call to be still.

Prayer

Lord teach me to experience strength in stillness, and surrender to you in full confidence of the God you are.