Be Still

Even in the Storm

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.

Psalm 46:10

There comes a time when we just have to let it go. There comes a time when we have to trust Him, despite the hard thing that is right in front of our face. Is that time now?

The song “Still” acknowledges the loving presence of God. We are reminded of His strong, yet tender hand covering us in the storm. We soar as we trust in Him, remembering that He is King over the flood–that He is God.

In an attitude of still, we come under that tender hand, with our own hands outstretched, open, waiting upon Him. When once our strivings cease, we are at last still enough to hear His voice, whisper into our ears.

Who is God’s Judge?

However, its not possible to rest in Him, still and waiting, if are not in a position of trust. If we can’t trust His goodness, despite what hard thing is happening, still is hard.

Sometimes we hold God at arms length, blaming Him for our hardship. After all, we may reason, up till now He hasn’t really

• shown up (at least in the way I expect/desire)
• healed
• delivered
• made this storm go away.

If we judged God to be worthy of our trust based upon our requirements, He would be a very little god, indeed. He would be at our beck and call, conforming to our image of the “god” we have created, in our own image. And what a small, ineffective, unworthy “god” that would be.

Aren’t you glad that He doesn’t answer to us?

Not a Little God

One day, we will see Him as He is. On that day, we may find ourselves asking, where was my faith? Why didn’t I trust His great heart more?

At that time, we will get it. Finally, everything will make sense. Once we understand that suffering is part of the package, are braver. Braver to suffer well. Don’t you think?

I like the way Ann Voskamp says it in her new book, Waymaker:

“The question isn’t ‘Why is there suffering in my life?’ but ‘Why wouldn’t there be suffering?’ Because such is life in a broken world, the question is ‘What way will you bear your suffering?’

I didn’t know it then, and I am still learning this now: life is hard because that is the reality of being alive. Life is hard in a thousand ways, and what comes the easiest to us is getting lost.”

Voskamp, Waymaker, p 10.

Lost we get, and found we are, resting, still, in His presence.

Listen as He assures us repeatedly through scripture:

Trust Me, though you don’t understand. Believe that I love you, and that I am at work. Obey Me, love Me, and love each other, too.

Our God is eternal. He has always been–from forever until forever, without our help, permission, or understanding. He is everywhere at once, listening to every conversation, witnessing every act of beauty and violence, too; and yet He is often overlooked for the former, and blamed for the latter.

David and Isaiah

David (in Psalm 29) “ascribes”, or gives credit to, or proclaims (notice the word “scribe” hidden in there) the power of God in creation. (Verse 10 from this psalm is quoted in today’s song.)

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders;
the LORD is heard over many waters.

The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the LORD
strikes with flames of fire.

The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.

And in His temple all cry, “Glory!”

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

The LORD gives His people strength;
the LORD blesses His people with peace.

Psalm 29

This Psalm describes the strength of a storm. Where is God in the storm? He is present in the thunder, He is over the waters, He sits enthroned over the flood. Indeed, He is enthroned as King forever.

In the book of Isaiah, we find that prophet delivering a message from God to His people. The Israelites had refused to turn to Him for refuge when their sin had thrown them into a very dangerous spot. They wanted Egypt’s strength, not God’s.

They longed for the world power next door, the one they felt pretty sure would help them a whole lot more than their God. Listen to what Isaiah wrote:

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.”

Isaiah 30:15

How it must have grieved the heart of God to see His people choose to ignore Him, to trust in their own ideas, instead of in Him. Perhaps it grieves Him still.

I hope you are blessed today, singing this song. I hope that you are able to be still; to know His power in quietness and trust, acknowledging and trusting Him to be God.

Trust Him to be the King over your life, Sovereign over what you are facing today.

He is good. Do we believe this? Then, let’s trust Him!

Hide me now under your wings
Cover me within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, you are King over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul in Christ alone
Know his power in quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, you are King over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, you are King over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul in Christ alone
Know his power in quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, you are King over the flood
I will be still and know you are God.

Published by Hillsong in 2003, under the Album Hope (Live).

Written by: Reuben Timothy Morgan, Benjamin David Fielding.