For This We Can Sing

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” Ps. 45:10

It is perhaps timely to remind my dear brothers and sisters in Christ to ‘be still.’ As we watch the news and hear of this war and that in Gaza and the Ukraine; view planes fallen from the skies onto distant fields; see pictures of children who seek a new life and protection in America (albeit in violation of our law); sense the strength of our Federal leadership and influence waning throughout the world; and face an ever increasing rise of terrorism here and abroad, we are told, ‘be still.’ How can we be still? By, ‘knowing that I am God.’ That is what God says; that is, if we truly know God as a matter of our hearts, souls, minds and will.

In the Hebrew, the reference to God here is ‘elohiym, which is plural and represents the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit…. Whom, as both triune God and individually, will be exalted among the nations and in the earth. I suppose we could cower in the corner of this earthly prison and allow the darkness to envelope us, or we could be as Paul and Silas, singing and praising God. Maybe we can’t sing for lack of faith as they did, but all we’re asked here is to ‘be still.’ I’m sure there were many Israelites who couldn’t ‘be still and watch,’ as God commanded Moses to do before He parted the Red Sea. I’m sure there were many who stood on the shore; attention split, nervously looking at the water and back again to the onrushing chariots. In spirit, were we among them? Do we find our attention split between heaven and earth? Do we find ourselves fearful? If so, be of good courage… as written in the Song, ‘I am my Beloved’s, and He is mine.’ He is my deliverer; therein, I can rest.

Because the word ‘elohiym is used in this verse, which tells us that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit equally will be exalted, is not the Son exalted among the nations through His body and those sealed by the Holy Spirit? Are you one of His? If you are, pray to find peace and to ‘be still;’ once you do, you’ll find reason to sing, even as Paul and Silas sat in peace in the dark! Even if your name is among those martyred: “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held,” (Rev. 6:9) what is life and the momentary suffering here compared to the glory to be revealed? The point is, God’s command is to ‘be still,’ and if you find this, it is a testimony of the grace and faith that you are and forever will be His! And for this we can sing!

Take heart my friends, brothers and sisters… In a flash, at the sound of the final trump… this world will pass, and behold! All will be new! Come Lord Jesus, yes, come quickly, and by your grace, we will be still until the last saint is brought home into your fold.