Be Still

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

A FRIEND OF MINE was in court, translating English to Spanish for a migrant worker who needed advocacy. She had linked arms with an organization and volunteered many hours for many people to help with their translating needs. But on this particular morning, she was also trying to give this worker advice.

However, her advice was muddying the waters. She was creating anxiety in her Spanish-speaking friend and was stirring up more questions than answers. She was starting to feel the weight of the situation and wondering if she was saying too much. It turns out she was. The director of the agency she volunteered for came over and sternly said, “Let me take care of this. Just sit and be quiet.”

How often do we work with good intentions, fighting for what’s right, and yet it seems as if we aren’t getting anywhere? Or maybe as if we’re even moving backward? Perhaps you have picked up your sword and fought for something you shouldn’t have. You picked the wrong battle, and as a result, made a bigger mess.

Near the end of Psalm 46, God says this famous verse: “Be still, and know that I am God.” This command is more than just a call to sit still. It is a command to put our weapons down. To stop taking action. To know that God is God, and He will fight for us. He will be God—exalted, worshiped, and known.

My friend was told to be still, to lay down her weapons for the fight, and to know who was who. The same is true for us. The Lord will fight for us. And our job is to let Him. We can put our weapons down and trust in His victory. As tempting as it may be to take our battles into our own hands, we are simply incapable. Often, when I fight my own battles, I leave too many wounds along the way and have created more war than peace.

What are you fighting against today? What are you exhausting yourself on? What are you swinging at? God is urging you to be still and remember who He is. He can utter a single word and cause the earth to melt. He can part seas in the face of death and war. He created this entire earth and declares He will fight for you. Grace looks like being still and letting God fight your fight.

GRACE REFLECTION: Pray with me, “God, thank You that You take up my fight. Help me to surrender to You and to be still before You, trusting that You are in control. Amen.”