Be Still …and Know

Be Still… and Know
Psalm 46:10

Main Idea

In moments of disruption and uncertainty, God calls His people to stop striving, rest in His presence, and remember that He alone is sovereign, present, and sufficient.

Setting the Scene

Today did not unfold as planned. Weather forced a pause in our normal rhythm of worship, but this interruption did not catch God by surprise. Instead of gathering in one place, we were invited to slow down and listen—to hear one simple but powerful word from Scripture:

“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)

These words are not decorative sentiment—they are both a command and an invitation.

1. “Be Still” — A Command We Struggle to Obey

Stillness does not mean inactivity or laziness. It means ceasing our frantic striving and surrendering the illusion of control.

Psalm 46 was written in a time of chaos—nations raging, kingdoms tottering, the threat of invasion looming. Yet the psalm opens with this confidence:

“God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

God’s call to stillness is a reminder:

Stop acting as though everything depends on you
Stop panicking as if no one is in charge
Stop striving and remember who God is

Sometimes God graciously slows us down when we refuse to stop on our own.

2. Stillness Is Often Where We Hear God Speak

We live in a loud, hurried, distracted world—and noise can drown out God’s voice.

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah experienced God not through dramatic displays of power, but through quiet presence:

“And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” (1 Kings 19:12)

God often speaks most clearly in stillness.
We rarely choose it.
Sometimes God chooses it for us.
What feels like inconvenience may actually be an invitation.

3. What We Are to Know When We Are Still

God does not call us to stillness without purpose.

Know That God Is Sovereign

“I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)

Plans may change—but God’s purposes do not.
He is ruling.
He is reigning.
He is at work.

Know That God Is Present

“A very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

God is not distant or distracted.
He is with you—right where you are.
The absence of a church building does not mean the absence of God.

Know That God Is Enough

Stillness exposes what we depend on.
It reveals our hurry, anxiety, and overreliance on routines.
And God gently reminds us:
“I am still here. I am still God. And I am still enough.”

Practical Application: Practicing Stillness Today

1. Read God’s Word

Read Psalm 46—alone or with your family—and let Scripture be the loudest voice in your home today.

2. Pray Simply

A simple prayer is enough:
“Lord, thank You for today, and thank You for being who You are.”

3. Reach Out to Someone

Stillness can be lonely for some.

Text someone.
Call someone.
Check on someone.

Even when we are not “at church,” we are still called to be the church.

Closing Thought

This day may not have been what we planned—but it was not outside of God’s care.

Instead of an interruption, it may be His invitation:

to slow down
to listen
to remember who He is

“Be still, and know that I am God.”