Letting Go and Knowing God
Psalm 46:10 (ESV) … “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
The command of this well-known verse is twofold. First, we are commanded to, “Be still.” In the Hebrew language, that command is the word raphah, which means “to release” or “let go.” In this command we see that God commands the forces of chaos (Ps 46:2–3) and the nations (v. 6) to stop their raging and recognize Him as God (Ps 2:10–12).
No one would argue with the statement that “our world is full of chaos.” Furthermore, no one would argue that our world seems to be getting worse in chaos, rather than better. There seems to be more division in our world than ever before. There seems to be more violence in our world than ever before. There seems to be less innocence in our world than ever before.
Therefore, it is no stretch of the imagination to say that no one believes any politician can step up to the challenge and bring some peace to this world’s chaos. That is why the second command is so important. It takes more than just “getting still” or “letting go” of the chaos in this world. We must also grab hold of something which can give us peace in the midst of this chaos.
That is why God says we must “grab hold of” or “know” that He alone is God. In this chaos of our world, we can find the presence of God and discover the plan of God. God is not going to let the enemy of chaos have the last say. God is determined to bring glory to Himself in spite of the chaotic circumstance of our lives.
We must remember that into this chaos; Christ has come. That the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Not only has Christ come into this chaos, but He has risen above this chaos to show us the power and might of our one true God.
It is only when we get still within this chaos that we can learn about God and thus see God. At that moment, we can realize his might, power, and presence. At that moment, we discover that He alone can handle all our troubles and worries. How unfortunate today so few people are no longer interested in knowing about God. Instead of this world only seeks to expand its knowledge, but not about God. The knowledge we need most to know is the knowledge about God. Once we discover God, then our heart has no choice but to break forth in praise and exalt Him as the “Prince of Peace!”
