BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

The background to Psalm 46 is possibly the occasion when Sennacherib, king of Assyria, besieged Jerusalem and tried to persuade Hezekiah to surrender, or face the unfettered might of the invading army. Though fearful, Hezekiah resisted and God intervened by sending an angel who in one night destroyed the invaders. Sennacherib fled to his home city in shame and was murdered by his own offspring, 2 Chron. 32. 21. God had shown Himself to be ‘a very present help in trouble’ and the inhabitants of Jerusalem appreciated that and enthused, even if the earth were removed and the mountains swept away, they would not fear, v. 2. God is shown here as a refuge, a resource and a river in providing for His people. Various names are used to describe all His characteristics in these verses, ‘God’, ‘God of Jacob’, ‘the most High’, ‘the Lord of hosts’, and simply ‘Lord’. He is the supreme One and in everyway equipped for delivering His people out of seemingly impossible situations.

The command that is our thought for today is ‘Be still’. Whether this is addressed to the invaders or those marooned inside the city is not clear. It means to surrender, lay down arms, or to be enfeebled. This they should do, otherwise they will be destroyed in the ‘shock and awe’ attack shortly to come upon them. On the other hand it may be spoken as an encouragement to the people of Jerusalem as they face death and the destruction of their beloved city. To them God says, ‘Be still’ and experience at first hand His delivering power. It is not in the nature of man, under pressure, to be still. He feels compelled to be up and doing, scheming, planning and pursuing. Fear does not engender peace of mind, especially when cornered by a callous enemy. To be still means to be composed, dignified and quiet. Moses told the Israelites to ‘stand still’, Exod. 14. 13. Jahaziel said, ‘The battle is not yours, but God’s ... ye shall not need to fight. .. stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord’, 2 Chron. 20. 15-17. Naomi advised Ruth to ‘Sit still’, Ruth 3. 18. We should be like Mary and choose the good part and sit still, Luke 10. 42; John 11. 20. There is no doubt He will rescue us in His own, sometimes dramatic, way.