Words about the WORD - Russell E. Scott - Albany Church of Christ
“BE STILL AND KNOW”
Most of us have experienced a time when it seemed like our whole world was coming apart all around us. Psalm 46 was written in the aftermath of such a time – a time when the psalmist felt like his whole world was coming apart around him with no hope in sight; then God stepped in. The psalmist reminds us that our God is an ever - present help in times of trouble.
Because our God is an ever-present help in times of trouble “WE WILL NOT FEAR” (1-3).
There are times when we feel like our whole world is coming apart around us. It might be a family crisis, a financial struggle, health problems, or a million other things. In trying times, the earth may seem to be swept away beneath our feet, and that our whole world is coming apart around us. When trials come, we must remember that God is near and that He will help strengthen us to face life’s troubles and challenges. Our God is an ever - present help in trouble. Our God will sustain us. Though the entire world, and everything that we consider to be secure, may be collapsing around us, “we will not fear,” because God is our refuge (vv. 1-3). The Hebrew word Selah, at the end of verse 3, is an interlude of some kind. It expresses the idea of a pause – pause and consider why “we will not fear”
Because our God is an ever present-help in times of trouble “WE WILL NOT BE MOVED” (4-7)
God’s sustaining presence in the lives of His people gives us peace, comfort, hope, and assurance. Because God dwells within His people (1 Cor. 6:19), because He is with us and helps to strengthen us, because He is our refuge, stronghold and fortress, “we will not be moved” (vv. 4-7). The psalmist again reminds us at the end of verse 7, to pause and consider why “we will not be moved.”
Because our God is an ever-present help in times of trouble “WE WILL BE STILL”
(8-11).
God says to His dismayed children, “Be still, and know that I am God” (v.10). In other words, “Stop, pause, let go, relax, look upward to God – Don’t be afraid – Don’t be paralyzed and dismayed.” Stop long enough to realize that God is still God, and that He is still in control.
He will strengthen you to face life’s troubles and challenges. “Be still – Cease striving - and know that I am God” (v.10). Selah – at the end of verse 11, pause and consider why “we will be still.”
When our world seems to be coming apart around us, take a spiritual pause that truly refreshes. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear” (vv. 1-2). “We will not be moved” (v. 5). “Be still, and know that I am God” (v.10). When it seems that everyone has turned against us, be still and know that the Lord has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5, 6). When the storms of life are raging about us, be still and know that God will be our shelter in every storm that the devil throws at us (Rom. 8:35-39). When the future looks dark and dim, be still and know that God is already there and that there is nothing He doesn’t know and can’t handle (Psalm 139). When the storms of life descend, He will be our shelter. When foes come against us, He fight them for us. When inner fears chase away our peace, His presence will calm us. Be still and know that God is still in control, and that God is a very present help in times of trouble. God says to each one of us, “Be still and know that I am God.”
By, Russell E. Scott Words About the Word August 11, 2025
