I was reminded this morning of Psalm 46. The psalm has words of comfort and peace that we all need to hear. The writer promises that God is always present as a refuge in times of trouble.

There is a consistent refrain in the psalm: The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Vv. 7, 11) The Message paraphrases it this way: Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, GOD-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

There is powerful hope in these words. We do not fear the tumultuous changes that take place around us. We have hope in the presence and power of God. God gives God’s Spirit to those who profess faith. God’s Spirit flows into the life of the believer as living water. Living water flows into our lives and circumstances. We are assured of God’s presence even when the world is falling apart around us.

Verse 10 requires us to “Be still and know that I am God!”

Shhh. . . I can’t hear the voice of God if I am always talking, worrying, fretting, discouraged over things I cannot change. To hear the voice of God requires a stillness of spirit, a quiet heart, a gentle spirit. We are consumed with the “sound and fury” of life’s incessant demands which deny the Spirit of God any room in our lives to bring peace and comfort. It was not in earthquake, wind, or fire that Elijah heard the voice of God, but rather in “sheer silence” (1 Kings 19).

The Message paraphrases verse 10 this way: “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”

The word selah appears three times in the psalm, at the end of verses 3, 7, 11. Selah may mean a musical interlude, or a rest. It is a moment to pause and reflect on what has just been sung or read.

Selah is a way of saying, “stop fretting, be quiet, let God be God.” We need this moment of quiet in the turmoil, frustration, and anger that consumes so much of our daily life experiences.

 

Shhh. . .God has a word for you.