“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 KJV)
Be still? And know? Really? Is that not the least likely way to know anything? Sure, some of us are “freeze” in that core fight, flight, or freeze neurological reaction, but a knowledge or an assurance that reflects “know” is not present there. We want to do something to shore up the situation. We want to see something, maybe even a different perspective, so that we can have something to hang our faith on. Even worse, we have no indicator as to how long we may have to be still. It is one thing to pause before you speak. It is one thing to seek counsel first. Yet, this verse has no time limit attached to it.
Right about now, we realize what our eyes are focused on. The situation. The issue. The impending disaster. What happens when we focus our eyes on God? Not what God will do about our plea. Not about how well or how many of us are effectively communicating the prayer request upward. Not even how really bad everything else begins to look compared with His glory. Though there are important aspects too to each of these points. When we become still in His presence, we actually begin to know; not just catch a glimpse of or smell the faintest scent of, but really know that He is God.
Yes, our feet will be fit with readiness. Yes, we will go forth. Yes, His word will accomplish what it was sent for. None of these contain so much value as when we start by knowing that He is God. Here, now, among the heathen, in the Earth. Our faith, which is our shield for these very darts, can only grow to that enormously huge tree if it is planted in knowing that He is God.
“He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.” (Psalm 46:9 KJV)