Psalm 46:10

Desist, and learn that I am God,
Supreme over the nations,
Supreme over the earth.
- Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that I am God… Or as in this translation, “Desist, and learn that I am God.” (Complete Jewish Bible) Whether it is to be still or to desist, I don’t think either option is easy to do.

If you want to know how difficult it is to be still, ask a child to do so. It won’t be long before the fidgets start in – especially if it’s a boy. But how does that fidgeting look on an adult? There are lots and lots of ways we can “be busy” in order to avoid being still before God – running errands, endless activities with the kids, too much time watching TV, too much time on the internet, shopping, gambling, you name it. Why do we do these things? As I said, to avoid being still before God, because being still before God means that there might be some uncomfortable time learning not only about God, but about ourselves and the things in our lives which aren’t pleasing to Him.

What I find interesting in the CJB translation is the use of the word “desist.” This implies that there is an active opposition to God, which we as fallen humans do have whether we realize it or not. Our wills are not in submission to God, but are bent on doing what we want, when we want, thank you very much. But as this verse says, when we desist – when we stop fighting against God – that is when we can learn that He truly is God, that He is supreme over the nations, supreme over the earth, and supreme over our lives as well. There very well may be pain in the process, but in the end there simply is no other way to live. So for today, be still.

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