Be Still And Know That I Am God

September 2023

We live in a stressful and tumultuous society and world. There are deadlines, quotas, goals, and a host of other pressures we face on a daily basis — whether at work, at school or wherever we go. How do we relieve the stress and enjoy the lives the Lord has given us? The Lord gives us the answer in His own words, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” This verse is better than any pill, relaxation technique, or vacation.

The story is told of a truck driver whose job it was to haul canaries. It was a tough job and frustrating as well. Another driver noticed that the truck driver had a curious habit of stopping every two or three blocks and beating on the rear of the truck with a hefty piece of lumber. The other driver flagged him down and asked the trucker why he beat on the truck every few blocks. The trucker explained, “Well, I’ve got two tons of canaries and a one-ton truck, so half of the birds have to stay in the air all of the time!!” Ever had a day like that?

The key to beating the stress is to be still before God. The Lord Jesus told His disciples in Mark 6:31, “…‘Come aside by yourselves to a desert place and rest a while.’ For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.” Before we face our day, we need to spend time with the Lord and commit our day to Him. Only He can give us His peace, rest, and comfort.

God reminds us, “Be still and know that I am God…” It should be enough for us to know that He is in control, He knows best, He cares for us, He loves us, and He has a plan for our lives. We can rest on this assurance. When the Israelites faced Pharaoh and his hard charging army at the Rea Sea, they were terrified. None of us would have been any different, but Moses sought the Lord and gave them His command, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (Exodus 15:13, 14).

But we are human and we experience fear, worry, anxiety, and stress. Let us then be still and know that He is God. He will be with us and see us through to the end. We live by faith in His strength and in His will. What a mighty God we serve! We are too blessed to be stressed!