Psalm 46:10 (NIV) – He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

* “He says…” Although I’ve always known these words came directly from God, when I stop to think that He tells us to “be still…” it makes the scripture that much more powerful to me. It is my holy Father telling me that I need to stop and calm myself because He has something important to tell me.

* Then the next words – the words I often fail to hear – are “be still….” As simple as those words are, they are sometimes the hardest for me to do. In the middle of a busy day, a stressful moment, a time of frustration or a time of anger, I forget these words all too often. Yet they are there for a reason – to help me.

But what does “be still” mean? It means I stop, close my mouth, relinquish the thoughts going through my head and prepare my heart to listen for what God is about to tell me. Experience has proven to me that if I do stop and I do make myself still and listen to His next words, how the moment can change and how quickly my peace of mind can be restored.

* In this verse, the next words are the most significant to me. He says “…and KNOW that I am God.” I have to put the emphasis on the word “know.” One of the dictionary definitions of the word ‘know’ is “to apprehend clearly and with certainty.” With certainty I need to remember that He is God, He is in control and no matter what is going on around, this certainty always brings me serenity, comfort and reassurance – when I actually stop and make myself still.

* The last part of the verse – “I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exhalted in the earth.” is often overlooked. For me, I have overlooked it because once I stop and become still and remember that He is in control, my peace is restored and I don’t typically think about the next two sentences. However, in studying them now, I feel their significance as well. If I stop and become still, I will also remember that my life on this earth is not about me. With these words, not only should my peace be restored but I should be humbled. In my own moments – in the here and now – I not only have to remember that God is in control of all things but He is the eternal God. His presence remains far beyond this moment and he will continue to be exalted forever.