Pause

It takes just a little time sometimes to know that God is present. But in a world that appreciates busyness over stillness, taking that time can feel hard to do.

Yet, to truly recognize the activity of God in the world, being still sure does come in handy.

So take just a few moments.

And be still.

Listen

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Psalm 46

Think

It’s not hard to recognize the kind of world described in today’s psalm. Shaking mountains? Roaring waters? Oh, yeah, we know what those are like!

But what about the part where God helps, melting away all the earth’s trouble with only a word? The clue is at the end of the psalm, when God offers a word to us: Be still.

Yep. To know that God is near and at work, we do well to take God’s advice. When we are still, when we are present to God’s presence, then we will know.

We will know who God is. We will know that God is close by – at work, our strength and our refuge.

When we are still.

Nick Foster

Pray

O God my refuge, help me today to take time to be still. To be still so I can know how close you are to me. Speak a word and bring help for my trouble. Amen.

Go

Go now,
But go slowly.
Take a moment now and then
To stop.
Stop and wait.
Stop and listen.
Stop and know God.