‘As the deer pants for streams of water so my soul pants for you, O God’. (Psalm 42:1)‘Be still, and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10 NIV)
The call to be still and know that I am God comes within a chapter that proclaims the power of God and the security he brings. The issue for the psalmist is not explicitly stated but seemingly it relates to a plea to God to end an on-going war (v.9)
. Whilst most of the Psalm is written in the third person as the writer speaks about God, God’s voice comes through in verse 10.
Christians often interpret this command to ‘be still’ as the need to ‘be quiet’ in God’s presence. It is certainly important and helpful for us to take time out of our busy schedules to do exactly that, nevertheless this is not what this phrase is referring to. The Hebrew for the word ‘still’ is raphah which means ‘to cause to fall, to let go.’ 1
The phrase means to stop our frantic activity by letting go of what occupies our attention, let it fall to the ground and look to God as the one who delivers us.
This places a completely different complexion on our relationship with God. It means let go of our worries and insecurities, let go of unforgiveness, let go of our past, let go of the things we cannot control and rest in the knowledge that God is in control. We are to cease fighting battles that we cannot win and stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord (cf. Exodus 14:13-14)
.
Just imagine how the well-loved hymn by David Evans 2 would alter our thinking if we changed the line ‘Be Still’ to ‘Let Go’:
Let go for the presence of the Lord
The holy one is here…
Let go for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around…
Let go for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister his grace
No work to hard for him
In faith receive from him
Let go for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
Knowing that God is God is recognising that he is present with us, that in his power he will cleanse, heal and minister his grace, and that no work is too hard for him.
When life gets difficult and the problems before us seem insurmountable, let’s remember that ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble’ (v.1)
. Let’s run to him, letting go of all of our weapons, and fall into the security and safety of his arms. When we do that, not only will we be at peace, but God will be exalted in all the earth (v.10)
.
Prayer
Father, help us not to hold on to the things that weigh us down and burden us. Help to rest in your presence and trust in your salvation.
Amen.
Have a good week letting go.
Pastor Barry
1. Youngs Analytical Concordance, p934.
2. Be Still (for the presence of the Lord is here), David Evans, Copyright © 1986, Kingsway’s Thankyou Music.
