Stop

Here in the UK 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, earth shattering, magnitude. It is the journey of someone from fearing the end to trusting the One who is faithful to the end.

Most of us will know, and maybe are right now experiencing, that life often feels like a storm. And just like most Scottish storms there is seldom one element- wind and rain for sure, with hail and sometimes sun thrown in for good measure to keep us guessing. The outcome is that it often feels like more than we can cope with. The big lesson of Psalm 46 is to trust in God as your shelter when you are feeling battered by life. He is powerful when things seem precarious, strength to us when things seem to be stacking up against us. It reminds us that He is no absent or distant God. He is very present. Very here means abundantly, exceedingly, more than you imagine, deserve or often realise. He is ready, not reluctant to shelter you in your storm right now.

It really paints a awesome, awful picture. A world falling apart, the landscape of life altered beyond recognition. It indicates 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.’

The closer you are to God the more conspicuous His grace will become to you- EVERY DAY! His grace is more immoveable than mountains. Knowing God is designed to produce trust in God in the midst of trial, turbulence and trembling. It is an encouragement to pursue faith in God that looks at present problems through lens of His promises, presence & provision.

Verse 10 points us to the correct response today- Be still and know that I am God. When did you last stop? When was the last time you were in silence or silent? Refrain from activity, quieten your heart- stop.

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