Psalm of Praise: Psalms 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Bible Reading: Psalms 46:7-11
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
A Reflection
I wonder if you have a quiet place to escape to from the hubbub of life, a place where you can switch off. It may be a special room, or a space in the garden, it may be a walk in the country, in the woods or by the sea. It is good to have a special place we can go to each day where we can stop, pause for thought, and reflect on the God we worship.
Psalm 46 was written at a time of great trouble for the nation of Israel. It seemed as if everything around them was shaking. And, in the midst of the turmoil and uncertainty, the Psalmist writes, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’
‘Be still’ might be the translation of the Hebrew that we are familiar with, but as the linguists wrestle with the original text, there are other translations which, although may be less poetic, can bring a different dimension to the words. Here are some of them.
Calm down… (Contemporary English Version)
For all who are anxious, agitated or on edge, for those who are rushing around from one task to another, for all who are feeling stressed, we pray that they, and we, would calm down… and know that God is God.
Stop fighting… (Good News Bible)
We bring before God countries at war with neighbours or within their own borders, organisations and businesses facing strike action, families in conflict and neighbours at loggerheads, that they, and we, would stop fighting… and know that God is God.
Stop your striving… (New English Translation)
For those who are never content with what they have or with who they are, who are always seeking after the next, the newest and the better, we pray that they, and we, would stop striving… and know that God is God.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, in the business and distractions of life help me to make time to be still and to know that you are God, that you may be exalted in my life and among the nations.
Amen
Be still and know that I am God.