KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (10)

“BE STILL and KNOW that I AM GOD...” – Psalm 46:10a

It takes an intentional attitude of stillness to embrace the KNOWLEDGE of GOD: “BE STILL, are KNOW that I AM GOD; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psa.46:10). There are two interrelated commands here. The first tells us what not to do and the second what to do. The first has been translated “Be still,” meaning: “cease striving,” “stop fighting,” “be unoccupied,” “let go”! God seems to be telling us to stop freaking out trying to fix everything, much of which we can’t control anyway. The Lord is telling us to give it up! To be still means more than simply to have a good quiet time so we can hear His voice or turn off our minds so He can reveal Himself to us.

So many of our worries and anxieties come from the deep root of thinking that we are supposed to fix everything, that it’s our duty to tame any chaos in our lives. This is neither true nor real. God is rebuking our restlessness, fretfulness, and self-centred hyperactivity. Many people assume that effort is the key to success. They say: “you get out what you put in,” and if we want to know God more, we would need to exert more effort – Study the Scriptures more, work harder, pray more, or do something to discover new information about God. All of these are positive actions, but ironically, God tells us to do the opposite of what seems so natural to us: “Be still,” “Cease striving,” “Let go,” “Relax.”

These verses do not infer that we are wrong to study Scripture, to pray, and to earnestly seek the Lord. Certainly not! God wants us to study the scriptures and to pray always and, in every situation (1The.5:17). Seeking to know the Lord should be part of life for every Believer in Christ, but not necessarily the most important or beginning part. The foundation of our relationship with Christ is not found in our efforts, but in surrender. Knowing God more and better, understanding His Will, and deepening our relationship with Him begin with Surrender. Wisdom for life’s answers, victory over temptation, forgiveness and freedom from guilt, healing, and deliverance, all come from surrender.

We stand empty, not relying on our own resourcefulness, intellect, or personal charisma, for the second command, which is to KNOW GOD! There is something deeper than the chaos and fear running rampant in the world. And we KNOW that HE is GOD! We don’t know or have control over much of what’s happening around, but we know Him Who is deeper and more rock solid. To “know” God is God means that we acknowledge, recognize and admit that God really is God alone over all! And He says: “Cease striving; let go; relax; surrender to Christ as Lord. I am in charge. I am for you and with you, and you will know it!”