None of us likes to feel out of control of life’s circumstances. We want order and security and work hard to organize our lives to guarantee success and safety. But what happens when the winds and waves kick up, and we find ourselves amid uncontrollable conditions? In these places, God calls us to do the most challenging thing. He tells us to be still. But what does it mean to be still in God’s presence? And how can resting in Him secure the safety and peace we long for?

What Does it Mean to Be Still? – a Psalm 46 Study

Listen to “Be Still And Know” while meditating on Psalm 46

We Can Be Still Because God is Lavish With His Presence

In Psalm 46, it would have been enough to write, “God is near.” Simply knowing the God of the universe bends low to His creation provides incredible comfort! But God did not stop there. He is not piecemeal with His visits to us, showing up here and there throughout the course of our lives. No, the Psalmist writes that God is “very present.” The Hebrew word for “very” means “exceeding” and “abundant.” God is lavish with His presence; where He is, there is power and peace. These words give us a magnificent glimpse into God’s character and show that He is deeply concerned with our lives and what we walk through. He is not only with us but actually becomes our safe place right where we are — a place of refuge and strength. 

We Have Peace in Uncontrollable Circumstances Because God is Sovereign

We like to have a say in the situations we encounter. Therefore, we make great efforts to choreograph the context of our lives and influence specific outcomes. In many ways, this is good and is, in fact, God’s design for us. He wants us to live wisely and faithfully and enjoy His abundant life! And yet, many aspects of life exist outside our control. The Psalmist addresses two of these in Psalm 46: the earth and weather, and society and conflict.

Have you ever felt anxiety over nature’s unpredictable ways? News trends toward dismay as we watch yet another natural catastrophe leaving an unfortunate area on the map and all who call it home devastated. Because we live on a planet broken by sin, we face the uncertainties of a temporary earth on a trajectory of decay. The Psalmist spoke of this in Psalm 46:2-3, but he began with hope. Because God is our refuge and strength, we don’t have to fear! He wrote, “Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”

The second unpredictable circumstance we see in Psalm 46 is wars between nations. Whether it’s conflict across country borders or the battles we face daily in our minds and hearts, God is aware that we are torn people in need of mending. And in Psalm 46, we see His sovereign power over situations we cannot control. Verses 8-9 declare, “Come, behold the works of the LORD…He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.”

We find a beautiful summation in verse 10, where we read, “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” No matter what the nations or nature bring, God has the final say and will be glorified. The same is true of the situations we encounter in our daily lives. However out-of-control a situation might feel, God’s all-powerful hand is at work, and He remains our refuge and strength in times of trouble.

We Can Stop Striving for Control and Be Still in God’s Presence

So what are we to do then in the face of uncontrollable circumstances? When life’s hardships overwhelm us and fear becomes a dominating force, God calls us to be still. Perhaps this is the most challenging thing He could ask us to do in these conditions. Our tendency might be to try to manipulate outcomes or blot out fear through action. But God calls us to inaction. To “be still” translates in the original language to “sink.” Yet we are not sinking beneath the weighty waves of despair. Instead, we sink into the comforting arms and protection of our Maker. “Be still” can also be translated as “refrain.” How often have we rushed to fix a situation only to find that our limited understanding or lack of resources worsened a matter? God calls us to refrain and rest in Him. Another translation says, “Cease striving and know that I am God.” We don’t need to pine for control because the God who spoke the world into place is sovereign over weather and war. 

We Can Remain Calm Because Creation Obeys His Voice

God is acutely aware of the storms in our lives and capable of subduing them. We see this beautifully when God walked on earth. In Matthew 8, Jesus’ disciples were overcome with fear when they were on a ship at sea, and a storm gathered around them. Have you ever felt completely helpless and tossed about by the waves of life? The disciples stood on the ship pelted by unpredictable conditions. But then Jesus rose and “rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?’”

This man whom the winds and sea obey is the same who spoke the wind and sea into place at creation. He is the same one who, when He “utters his voice, the earth melts.” All creation bows to His command. Knowing this, we can walk confidently through life’s storms. We can be still and know that He is God and sovereign over the details of our lives.

Be still my soul

Be still and know that He is God

Rest quietly

Rest in His loving arms for

He is watching over you

Ever faithful, ever true

So be still my soul

Be still and know that He is God

Be still my soul

Be still and listen for His voice

Rest in His peace

Knowing how much He cares for

He is watching over you

Ever faithful, ever true

So be still my soul

Be still and know

Listen to “Be Still And Know”

from “Hidden In My Heart, Volume I”