Where Stillness Is, Security Dwells

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 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. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns . . . “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
- Psalm 46:1-5, 10 [ESV]

Here in the United Kingdom we regularly have news features of people whose homes are threatened with falling into the sea from coastal erosion. They bought it with a sea view, but now the view is getting a bit close for comfort. Psalm 46 envisages something of similar magnitude. It is the journey of someone from fearing the end, to trusting the One who is faithful to the end.

Most of us know that life often feels like a storm. And just like most Scottish storms, there is seldom only one element—wind and rain for sure, with hail and sometimes sun thrown in for good measure. It often feels like more than we can cope with. The big lesson of Psalm 46 is to trust in God as your shelter. He is powerful when things seem precarious. It reminds us that He is no absent or distant God. He is very present. “Very” here means abundantly, exceedingly, more than one can imagine. He is ready, not reluctant, to shelter you in your storm—right now.

Psalm 46 really paints an awesome and awful picture, a world falling apart. It describes a tomorrow where things will never be the same again. But verse 5 offers us hope: “God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” Wow.

See, the closer you are to God, the more conspicuous His grace becomes to you—EVERY DAY! His grace is more immoveable than mountains. Knowing God produces trust in the midst of trial, turbulence, and trembling. It is an encouragement to pursue faith in God that looks at present problems through the lens of His promises, presence, and provision.

So what is our response? “Be still and know that I am God.” Refrain from activity, quiet your heart, just stop and be still.

And do what? Consider God—know Him . . . understand Him. The answer is not in solving this problem, but in stopping. Stop crowding out grace with getting it done. God’s grace operates in precise conditions, where humans cannot do what needs to be done. Be still before God—He is who He says He is, He will do all that He says He will.