Be Still and Know

I remember a time when you did not get the news until 5, 6 or 10. I remember a time when you found out someone was sick was through a phone call. I remember a time when they way you heard that some one had passed away was to get the newspaper and read it there. I remember when to get some where you had to get a map (my family tried to get the free ones because we didn’t want to pay for an atlas (a book of maps) so if you went to multiple states you had a stack of free maps)

Now you have social media and the more friends you have the more you know. You wake up in the morning and your news feed is filled with the struggles of your friends, the struggles of the world, people who have passed away, people who are sick, people in need, and all of the problems of everyone on your friends list.

Of course it is not all bad. Social media helps us to watch others grow up as well that may not live close to us. This past Monday I did a funeral for a kid that grew up in my home church when I was in high school. I got to see my friends who I had not seen in years and I was thankful for social media that let me keep in touch with them even though I had not seen them.

It hit me this past week how accessible news is. You can google all the cares of the world any time you want. You don’t have to wait for it to come to you; you can look it up from the palm of your hand anytime you want.

Psalm 46:1 HCSB

1 God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.

Refuge: “a place of trust”

Found in times of trouble

or Present help

“a help He has been found exceedingly”

Psalm 46:2–3 HCSB

2 Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah

This is an image of turmoil. The earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the sea.

The waters surround it all and mountains quake because of the water.

The Wisdom Literature and Psalms A. The Protection of the City (Ps 46)

God’s people are secure under his protection. They have nothing to fear, even though the solid earth were rent asunder and the mountains tumble into the sea. The raging sea depicts trouble on every side.

God’s people are secure under his protection. God’s people need not to fear because he is our refuge and strength.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (46:1–3)

So the saints need not fear, even if many threats come against them. The language is hyperbolic, to describe how great the threats may be that could come. No matter what happens, those trusting in Him are safe.

Psalm 46:4–5 HCSB

4 There is a river— its streams delight the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High. 5 God is within her; she will not be toppled. God will help her when the morning dawns.

The contrast of the roaring waters of the world with the life giving river that flows to the city of God. This speaks of Jerusalem but also points us to the New Testament vision of Zion as a heavenly community.

The mountains will be toppled but not God’s city. God will help her when the morning dawns. That is the dawn of deliverance follows the night of distress.

Psalm 46:6–7 HCSB

6 Nations rage, kingdoms topple; the earth melts when He lifts His voice. 7 The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

Here is God’s power

By God’s word God melts the nations that roar against Him. Kingdoms topple and the earth melts in terror at the sound of his voice.

What about believers?

That are safe and spared with the rivers flowing to give life in the city of God.

v.7

This is a rare us of the name Yahweh. The name “Yahweh of hosts” depicts God as commander of all the powers of earth and heaven, thus supreme sovereign.

Through our latest series one over arching question is why did the Lord allow a deep wound to take place in my life?

This is definitely something I am working through and praying through and seeking to learn more about. So we won’t answer that question completely this morning but let me give you something to add to the discussion.

Speaking of the sovereignty of God people are ready to accept without research that God allowed something to happen to them but are not as quick to accept that God wants to deliver that which you feel God allowed to happen to you.

v.7 depicts God as commander of all the powers of the earth and heaven.

Psalm 46:8–9 HCSB

8 Come, see the works of the Lord, who brings devastation on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease throughout the earth. He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces; He burns up the chariots.

The Psalmist encourages all nations to reflect upon this marvelous deliverance. They are invited to “behold”, gaze, upon the sight. Yahweh brings total destruction of the enemy army.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 46:8–11

These deeds portray how God brings peace to His people, destroying weapons throughout the earth

Psalm 46:10–11 ESV

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

Be Still: Leave off to oppose Me and vex my people

HCSB says stop your fighting in reference to those who fight against the Lord and trouble and distress the people of God.

Know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations.

Laying out on the back deck under the stars.

The iphone lacked to capture what we were seeing with our own eyes. Or it takes a pic that is not reality.

So it is with us and our lives.

When our phones had leashes we were free. Now, our phones are free and we have leashes.

-Generation Z unfiltered-

Be Still and know that I am God

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