Why Would I Be Still?

“Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 46:10

Yesterday we examined the call of God to simply be still and know. What we did not consider is why God would command such a thing. Why is it important that we be still and know? Why do we need to avoid the frenetic pace of life and focus on God? Upon closer examination, this verse offers us three reasons we need to be still.

First, that we might KNOW that He is God. Of course, we give ascent to the fact that He is God, but do we truly know it? Do we know it to the point that it impacts how we live our lives? Do we know it to the point it affects the way we look at a crisis? Do we know it in a way that affects how we approach times of uncertainty? Do we truly KNOW that HE IS God? If we do, our emotional and spiritual state will be radically impacted. Instead of fear, we will have peace. Instead of worry, we will trust. Instead of fretting, we will have calm. Know that He is God.

The second reason we need to be still and know that He is God, is that He will be exalted among the nations. It is hard to imagine in a time when people want nothing to do with God, that there would come a point that all people will exalt Him. People rebel at the very mention of the name. People are not after freedom OF religion, they want freedom FROM religion (read that, freedom from God). The simple fact, however, is that there is not freedom from God. A day is coming when, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

The third reason that we are to be still and know, is that God will be exalted in the earth. The Bible tells us, “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For we know that the whole of creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now” (Romans 8:19, 22). The entire earth has been impacted by the fall of man. All of creation groans, awaiting the return of Christ. This groaning is why we have things like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and tsunamis. But the Lord promises us, He will be exalted in the earth. So, not only will He be exalted by all of humanity, but literally all of creation will be redeemed and sing out His praises.

So, if the momentary knowledge that God can handle your situation is not enough to cause you to be still, then maybe the eternal reality of His sovereign rule will do the trick. If God can humble the hearts of all of humanity, demanding that they bow in worship of Him; and if He can bring peace to all of creation, that has been decimated by sin; then certainly He can be trusted in our current situation, whatever that may be. Once again, hear the call of God…Be still and know that I am God.