My life verse is Psalm 46 verse 10. I even have the reference tattooed on my forearm. (We can have the tattoo debate another time) You have probably heard it before. You may have even memorized it. It says: “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (NIV)
Even if this verse is familiar to you, try to reflect back on the first time it registered with you. Were you in a quiet, calm phase of life? (I understand those do exist.) Were you feeling particularly successful? Were you excited about what the future held for you?
I’m going to venture a guess that you were not in any of the states mentioned above. Why would I say that? Well, if you are in a peaceful mental place or on top of your game or looking forward with anticipation, this verse would probably not resonate with you.
When I started to seriously read my Bible, I was in my mid-thirties. It was shortly after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and I was searching for answers. (Click here for my testimony.) My childhood had been emotionally traumatic; I had a failed marriage in my past; I had recently married again; I had suffered from post-partum depression. I was diagnosed with clinical depression and social anxiety disorder, and there was a constant noise in my head like the fast-forward on a cassette tape. (I know I am aging myself.)
I was a mess! I had lived my entire life (since I could remember) yearning for peace. I kept thinking that if I just planned everything out well enough or tried harder to block out negative thoughts or isolated myself more, I could achieve the peace of mind for which I so longed. My failure to do so only increased my efforts, amplifying my anxieties.
That was the state of mind in which I found myself as I reached Psalm 46 in my one year Bible reading plan. I remember it well. I had approached the discipline of Bible reading more as a checklist to accomplish than a relationship to build. I felt that if I read the entire Bible, I would be one qualification closer to that elusive state of content.
I was robotically reading through that day’s plan, when I happened upon those words: “Be still and know that I am God”. I was stopped in my tracks! It literally sounded like someone else’s voice in my head commanding my attention to those words, so I read them again. In that second reading, I experienced a warmth as if I had been wrapped up in a cozy blanket; a burden seemed to lift from my shoulders. Could the key to peace be that simple?
I would love to tell you that I lived peacefully ever after, but like so many other ideas that seem simple, this one was difficult to implement on a consistent basis. That’s why it is tattooed on my arm. I use it like the tassels worn by Jews in the Old Testament. It serves to remind me of God’s truth when my emotions and thoughts sweep me away in a torrent of worry and pessimism. I will tell you, however, that with much practice, it had become easier to dismiss negative thoughts and emotions by letting God be God.
I have been practicing a new discipline lately, verse mapping. I’m using a system called The James Method. I have found this to open richer understanding and interpretation of the mapped verses. Of course, I mapped Psalm 46:10.
Here are the highlights:
- I identified some keywords in the verse that I could explore further. I chose still, know, God, exalted, nations, and earth. I chose words that seemed so familiar that it might be easy to overlook a nuance.
- I used a standard online dictionary to define each word and identify some synonyms, I did this for each word, but here are a few examples that enlightened me:
- know – could mean to understand with my mind, but it could also mean to appreciate with my heart
- God is not only the Supreme Being, He is also the source of all things
- Exalted means elevated, and it also means first or above all
- Earth can mean the planet or human beings in general
- Other translations of this verse shed some light as well. The NLT (New Living Translation) says, “Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Passion Translation (TPT) uses this wording, “Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth.”
Mapping this verse drew my attention to the second part. In the past I concentrated on “Be still and know that I am God.” Now I wondered about the “I will be exalted…” part. Why would God add this to a message of comfort? Does He not want us to miss an opportunity to praise Him?
Maybe, but as I marinated on this section of the verse, a new idea (at least to me) bubbled to the surface. I think God may have been continuing His reassurance. Why would I “be still” if I didn’t know that God is in control? I think it’s almost like He’s saying: “Rest easy and know who I am. I’m above all things, everywhere. I got this.”
When we remember who God is and choose to trust Him with the outcomes of our lives, it is easier to “be still” even in crazy situations and amidst the chaos of our world.
When is it difficult for you to “be still”? How does knowing about God’s supremacy help?
Abba, You are deserving of all honor and praise! You are all-powerful, yet You are loving and gentle. Forgive us for not trusting that You can and will fight our righteous battles. Thank you for reminding us through Your word to “be still and know”. It is more than just relinquishing the fight – it is the confidence that we are on the winning side! Please help us to share this truth with others. In the name of Jesus, Amen.