Joel M Bradshaw

10“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”–Psalm 46

When I go to a hospital visit I have two verses handy. I recently blogged about one of them. https://joelmbradshaw.wordpress.com/2022/04/27/have-theses-two-verses-at-the-ready/

Today’s verse is the other. In this short psalm, the nation is in trouble and there is no hope outside of the intervention of God. So the answer is to be still and rest in knowledge that God was in control.

I am a father of two young children. They often are not still, always moving about. And sometimes that movement tells a story. Their mother and I have to remind them to go visit the bathroom, for they have to ‘go potty.’ We are the same way. Our times when we are not still are illustrations of how we feel or about our pressing needs. We express that un-stillness in anger or anxiety, with attitude or worry.

This is the issue for the patient in the hospital bed. I remind them of this verse. I tell them that they are in a great theological position. For God has seen fit to still them. They are no longer moving about, but instead are in a bed and hooked up to cables and monitors. All they are left with are their thoughts and worries. So as God has brought stillness on the outside, intentionally pursue stillness on the inside. And that stillness is produced by investing in some helpful self-talk. Here are 3 I use.

1. GOD’S GOT THIS. In your stillness, rest in the knowledge that God is God. He is sovereign and able to provide. This is one of the self-talk arrows you should always keep ready in your quiver.
2. GOD IS GOOD. Psalm 46:1 speaks of going to God as a refuge, a present help in times of trouble. This illustrates that God is indeed sovereignly God, but also that he is caring and good. He is both able and willing to provide. He doesn’t turn us away when we seek refuge in him, but enables us to no longer fret and fear, but rest and find stillness.
3. GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED IN THIS. Everyone who knows this verse remembers the part about being still. But do not forget the exalted part. God’s chief goal is to be glorified and exalted. Your situation–no matter how broken or messy–will ultimately result in God receiving glory. What a perspective for our pain! Rather than investing in fear or worry I can focus on intentionally seeking to use my story for God’s glory. To bring God glory is the goal of life (1 Corinthians 10:31).

When times are most stressful, rest in the knowledge that God is both sovereignly God and blessedly good. He cares for us and provides for us. Maintain the perspective that God will be glorified in the end, so seek to give him glory in your situation now. Stillness is the first step in trusting God. Turn to him as your refuge and help.–JMB