A Moment Aside --- 4 August 2020

Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations,
    I am exalted in the earth.

(Psalm 46: 10)

     These words carry a lot of weight for many of us. It evokes visions of quiet forest groves, mountain springs, ocean vistas, or cool, quiet church sanctuaries. It may cause us to think of stillness, silence, and peace.

     That may be fine if you're a quiet person by nature, a monk, or an outdoors person. But what of the busy folk? The anxious ones? Those whose minds and sleep are often disturbed by thoughts of the past or worries about the future? Those troubled by guilt or uncertainty? This passage might not bring what they wish or what they need.

     Psalm 46 is the inspiration and basis for Luther's hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. (But you all knew that, didn't you?) Oddly enough, that powerful hymn does not use or reference the quote found above. It is a hymn of trust in God despite all that might be going on around the person. The verses toward the end of the Psalm speak of God breaking the bow, snapping the spear, and burning the shield, all the weapons of war of Biblical times. Then comes the line we're looking at. "Be still and know that I am God." 

     It may be that we can be busy, scared, anxious, or troubled and remain "still." (Mind you, I'm not sure exactly how, but it is possible.) In the face of terror, pandemic, illness, and even loneliness, the stillness of God remains. To desire that stillness is the first step to receiving it. If we can't acknowledge how we feel when we are at prayer, we might not be able to know God's peace which can exist in the midst of all the storm we're enduring. 

     Maybe we could reverse the order of the verse: Know that I am God and be still. Maybe that's how it really happens. God isn't above and beyond moving the word around if God's grace can take a hand in the situation.

Be still, and know that I am God!