Devotional:Be Still: Psalm 46

“Be still (Cease striving, NASB), and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Ps. 46:10, KJV),

You are having a good day, and it seems that everything is well for the past few days. You make plans to do some things that need to be done or you plan to enjoy doing some things that you have not done in awhile. Just as soon as you have your plans formulated in your mind things change. The change comes in many types. It seems appropriate that the old proverb, “when it rains it pours” comes to mind.

The proverb means that many things take place quickly and strongly. You are unable to alter or change the events that are taking place. You are robbed of your initial plans. What should you do? How do you handle situations that you cannot control, e.g. death of a loved one, unexpected expenses, divorce, child in trouble. All of these are things that you cannot control. You did not ask for them. You did not cause them. All together they overwhelm you. What are you to do?

The psalmist says, “Be still.” The psalmist experiences events that cannot be control by human efforts; not the efforts of other or his own efforts (vv.2-3). The psalmist will not fear when uncontrollable events take place. He is sure that God is present in the times of trouble. God controls the events that are taking place. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. When it rains it pours. Yet, we need not fear. We can trust the Lord. We can be still.

Prayer: Lord, I will be still and trust You to be present in all my troubles. Amen.