One morning I took a seminary roommate to the hospital after he vomited 10 times before 9:00. Once he was admitted and medicated, he looked at the whiteboard on the wall and read the Bible verse scribbled on it: “Be still, and know that I am God.” It’s a verse you can see on mugs and cross-stitches around the world, and for good reason—it’s a verse of great comfort.
My roommate saw it and mumbled “they left out the part where God melts the earth.” Even in his stupor, he knew Psalm 46. Take a moment to read it. When God says to his people “be still, and know that I am God,” he’s saying “I’m the one who fights for you.” When he says it to the world, it’s like he’s taken three squabbling kids and put them in time out—“don’t move until I say it’s time.” It reminds me of Jesus saying "be still" to the wind and the wave in Mark 4:39. Storms rage and kingdoms totter, but when God says a word it all comes crashing down. All the “powers” of the world that threaten God’s people shatter. In a world of chaos, he is our refuge. God is in the midst of his people.
We don’t feel the threat of warring nations right now, but we are seeing our world grind to a halt because of a microscopic threat. We are not looking for the earth to melt, but we do long for hope and healing. So when quarantine makes you feel lonely, when market downturns make you feel vulnerable, when avoiding an enemy you can’t see leaves you unnerved, hear God’s words. “Be still.” You don’t have to fight for yourself. God is your fortress. He is your refuge and strength. He is your help in trouble. And even when we cannot gather together He is here in our midst.
Take some time this week to sit in God’s presence. Remember the times you have seen his faithfulness. Meditate on Psalm 46. Confess your worries and ask for the faith to trust. God’s “be still” is not a quarantine. It’s the promise of his presence, even when the world is upside down.
Justin