God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 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. Psalm 46
In the 11 verses that comprise Psalm 46, God provides words of comfort. Verse 10 concludes with a challenge to remember who God is as a basis of finding peace.
It is human nature to respond both physiologically and psychologically when we feel threatened. American physiologist Walter Cannon was the first to describe the fight-or-flight response. Cannon realized that a chain of rapidly occurring reactions inside the body helped to mobilize the body’s resources to deal with threatening circumstances. Our heart rate increases, our bodies are flooded with hormones, we act on impulse to protect ourselves, our families, or our possessions. When hit we tend to strike back. It is easier to act, to use our resources, mental and physical to repel assaults, even emotional ones, as a response to fear.
Psalm 46:10 invites us to use a spiritual weapon that cannot fail. Verse 1 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”. When we place our faith in God’s unfailing capacity to help in every situation, we can be still and rely on God rather than human efforts and resources.
To be still and know that “I am God” is an invitation to peace in any situation. God is God all by Himself. Resist the temptation to muddle God’s miracle-working power by human distractions. To be still does not always mean that we do nothing. Rather it means that our faith, hope, and peace lie in the knowledge that God is able to handle our situation.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faced with the threat of death in a fiery furnace. The response of those young men spoke to their knowledge of God, not the fire, the power of the King nor their position as servants.
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not … we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel Chapter 3.
I do not need to know your circumstances – only where your faith lies. Lord, when faced with adversity, help me to stand still in the power and knowledge of who you are.
– Mary C. Kelley 03/19/22