In Psalm 46, the Psalmist is encouraging us to hope and trust in God, even in times of great difficulty. 

In Exodus, Moses is also stating that God is in charge, even when we think all has failed.  Moses had brought the Israelites out of slavery, only to find the Red sea in front of them, and Pharaohs army behind.  How strange that must have seamed to the people, everything was against them.  There was no way out.  And all Moses could say was “Stand still.”  That is what I call trust.

Be still, stand still.  How difficult is that, especially in this day and age.  We live in a 100 mph. society, and God says ‘Be still’.

To be still, is to be devoid of motion.  But you say, I have to do this or that, I have to be here or there.  Its one big rush.  To a certain extent the younger generation have got it right, when they say, “I’ve got to chill out”.  They need the time out, away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday activities; otherwise they will burn themselves out.

This is very similar to what God is showing His people.  With all the pressures of life, we need to stand still and see that God is totally in control.  No matter what we do, we can’t change things, only God can do that.  In Matthew 6:27, Jesus says, “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature?”  We can run around all day and achieve nothing, or we can place all our trust in God, and achieve everything that He desires for us.  Our position in this is to be in obedience, totally and unquestionably.

“Be still and know,” “Stand still and see”.  To know, and to see, both are rendered as understanding, and the appreciation of understanding.  This is what God is requiring of us, to be motionless, from our own endeavours, and let God be totally in control.  To understand and appreciate that what God desires is for the best, and, let us not forget, “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose”.  (Romans 8:28)

Amen.