Monthly Archives: March 2020

Eight Powerful Words

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By: Julian Wells

“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

Sometimes, it’s the simplest Bible verses that have the greatest impact when we face the inevitable challenges of life. And the events of recent weeks in our nation and around the world certainly qualify as challenging and fearful. Almost five years ago I published this article which I have edited in light of those current events.

In my mind, I don’t know if there are eight more powerful words to minister to us in times like these than those found in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Such a simple verse, easily memorized, yet packed with extraordinary theology and practical application.

Implicit in those eight words are the ideas of rest, trust, reflection, and surrender – all essential elements of the abundant life Christ desires for each of us (John 10:10). But in these troubling times they take on even greater significance.

In my writing and teaching, I often stress the importance of spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, Bible Study, worship, and service in the Body of Christ. But another discipline that is often overlooked is that of listening to God. In fact, in my experience, it may be the most important spiritual discipline.

And no verse of Scripture better sets the stage for listening to God than “Be still, and know that I am God.” Voicing those words in my mind several times a day has a way of quieting my spirit so that I am better able to hear his still, small, but unmistakable voice. They so effectively convey the promise of God’s continued presence and intervention in our lives for good. (Romans 8:28)

No matter what circumstances you are facing in your life today, I promise you Psalm 46:10 will minister to your heart.

  • Grieving over the loss of a loved one? … Be still, and know that he is God.
  • Wrestling with a life-changing decision? … Be still, and know that he is God.
  • Out of work or considering a job change? … Be still, and know that he is God.
  • Considering a move to a new home? … Be still, and know that he is God.
  • Dealing with a financial hardship? … Be still, and know that he is God.
  • Stricken with a life-threatening illness? … Be still, and know that he is God.
  • Perplexed by the endless mysteries of life? … Be still, and know that he is God.
  • Or paralyzed with fear over the threat of a global pandemic? … Be still, and know that he is God. (But also be prudent and maintain social distancing!)

Bottom line – there is no situation or circumstance you may face this day or for the rest of your life for which Psalm 46:10 will not comfort you, encourage you, and give you a clear sense of direction. I challenge you to stop several times each day, quiet your mind, and let God minister to your heart as you rest in the truth conveyed in those eight powerful words, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

I guarantee you it will be time well spent.

“Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3 KJV)

Love That Shows

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“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13: 4-8 NIV)

In John 11:35, Jesus said that the defining characteristic of his followers should be our love for one another. People can only see that love in us through our actions. That old adage that actions speak louder than words should be especially true of us, considering who we are representing- the God who is love. 1 John 3:18 (ESV) tells us, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

And yet, sadly, too often our actions (starting with me) look more aligned with those outside the faith rather than the standards so well articulated by Paul in those opening words from 1 Corinthians 13. Perhaps the answer as to why the church seems to be waning in its influence on the world might be found in that observation.

“If we have got the true love of God shed abroad in our hearts, we will show it in our lives. We will not have to go up and down the earth proclaiming it. We will show it in everything we say or do.” – Dwight L. Moody

Clothed With Compassion

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Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12 NIV)

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Kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience seem to be in short supply these days. The society around us is looking more and more like the days Paul described in 2 Timothy 3:2-4 where so many have become “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”

May our lives as Christians stand in such stark contrast to those trends that it demands an explanation. May we always be quick to explain that the hope, kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience others see in us is rooted in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. And may we always be prepared to introduce them to the Savior who “bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)

“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” – Fred Rogers