Series: Songs of Worship—Getting Real With God
Sermon: Be Still
Speaker and Writer: Elia King

Refresh: Open with prayer. Ask God for understanding through the Holy Spirit.

Read: Psalm 46:1–11 (RSV). As you read the Revised Standard Version, note 1–3 insights or questions.

Reflect: I grew up in a part of the country where, during a certain season, it was common for us to make trips to the basement of our house during tornado warnings or watches. The first few times it happened, it was always a scary experience. I had a vivid imagination, and too many viewings of The Wizard of Oz must have taken their toll.

But as I got older and the warnings came, I began to understand that our basement was a safe place during the storm. Instead of cowering when the warnings came, we would grab our things, along with a few candles and games and snacks, and make our way downstairs. Instead of fearing for my life, I had learned to take refuge—and even enjoy it a little bit—while we waited out the storm, knowing that we were safe.

As our tribe of Seventh-day Adventism has grown up, we have faced our share of storms together. In fact, part of what has shaped our identity as a tribe has been the notion of a time of trouble, after which Jesus will return to take us home. We believe there will be turmoil, not unlike what the songwriter describes in Psalm 46. But we also have hope in the God who calms the storm, who ultimately says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

I have to wonder sometimes why we seem to focus more on the storm than the refuge described in this Psalm. I mean, I understand why it happens. We see the storm and forget that we have a reliable fortress. In fact, the phrase that we read as “a present help in times of trouble” is translated from the Hebrew much more literally as “very much to be found.”

In his commentary on the Psalms, author John Goldingay notes that the language and imagery used in this Psalm would have reminded the children of Israel of significant landmarks and events in their own history. It is as if the Psalmist is saying, “In the same way that God protected you from the Assyrian armies, in the same way that God helped the city of Jerusalem to thrive despite the threat of enemy invaders, if you could just pause to recognize what is happening, you would also see God at work in your story today.” May we take the time to do the same. To pause. To see the work of God on our behalf in our own story today.

Recalibrate: Is there an area of your life where you have not seen God at work? What do you think might be the reason for that?

Respond: Pray that you will clearly recognize the God at work in your story this week.

Research: Write your own Psalm about God’s deliverance. Choose a style to help with the process (poem, free verse, song). If you choose a song, try choosing a familiar melody to which to set your lyrics. Share your Psalm with a close friend or family member.