I was a high-energy kid, so one exhortation I heard often from parents, teachers was “be still.” (Has anyone ever had to say that to you?)
Did you know that’s in the Bible? Yes, it’s in Psalm 46, verse 10. Most scholars think God spoke this “Be still and know that I am God” to the prophet while the massive, cruel, bone-crunching, skull-bashing, killing machine – the Assyrian army under Sennacherib – was heading there way.
“Be still” means “stand still and relax.” That’s not easy to do when wild bulls are running at you. As I studied the verse further, I was that it simply means ‘STOP & KNOW.’ Stop what? Know what? Stop worrying. Stop scurrying. Stop striving. Know God sees. Know God knows you. Know God knows and your situation. Know God cares. Know God is in control.
It was a great reminder for me. I’m facing some stiff challenges these days and forgot what I knew, but now I remember. ‘Stop and know’ leads to a new ‘start’ and a God-powered ‘go.’