When the World Feels Broken: A Way to Be Still – Psalm 46

When opinions collide rather than heal, when our lives are swirling with emotions, it is helpful to remind ourselves to “Be still, and know that I am God.”

It has been a hard week. Emotions are raw. Today’s reading seems fitting. When our world seems all messed up, when opinions collide rather than heal, it is helpful to remind ourselves who God is.

In the final part of Psalm 46, we find one of the most famous sentences in the Bible:

Be still, and know that I am God.

What is swirling around in your life?

• Just out of school and wondering when you’ll land a job with direction? Be still.
• Struggling to meet deadlines or quotas? Be still.
• Hurting for a family member or friend who is going through a rough time? Be still.
• Facing a health crisis or a cascade of emotions? Be still.
• Wishing something very important to you was different in our world? Be still.

Remember Elijah in the cave? He was spent from the burden of his life and ministry and sought the Lord’s voice:

11 And he [God] said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:11-13 ESV)

Elijah did not find the LORD in the bluster of the mighty wind or the chaos of the earthquake or even in the red-hot heat of the fire. No. He heard God’s voice in the sound of a low whisper. And when he heard it, he knew. He knew. This was God.

Are we quiet enough to hear Him?

Join with me as we put down the to-do list, set aside the figurative dagger you would like to deliver, forgive the dagger that has pierced your heart, sit still, take a deep breath, and remember who is on the throne. Nothing surprises Him, and nothing is out of His dominion to shape and mold or direct and change.

From what do you need to be still today?

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Take in the last few verses of Psalm 46 below, and enjoy your quiet moments with the Lord as you work through the Digging Deeper questions.

To start this series from the beginning, click here (but be sure to come back to this page to finish today’s devotion!)

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Psalm 46:8-11 (ESV)

8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.     Selah

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Digging Deeper: Be still, and know that I am God

Enjoy this precious time with the Lord. Reflect on or journal about the following questions, listening for what God has to say to you. 

1. What is causing you to feel unsettled or lacking in peace today?

2. Ask God to take these burdens from you. Close your eyes and picture bagging up your burdens and carrying them until you are standing at the foot of the cross. You kneel and gently place the bag on the ground. You resist the temptation to look inside the bag one last time. You push the bag on the ground until it is shoved up against the cross. You stand and bow your head. The weight is lifted from your shoulders, and you feel rays of sunlight sweep over your face. You turn and walk away without the bag of burdens. 

3. Praise God this world is not our home. The best is yet to come. Let this song shift the focus of your day: Where I Belong – Building 429. You might follow it with 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Matt Redman. See if that doesn’t make your day better!

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Want the Earlier Devotions?

The entire series of Psalm 46 can be found here: Psalm 46Watch movie online The Transporter Refueled (2015)

You might also want to dig into the deep and meaningful series on Elisha: All In: A Study of Elisha

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