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A Recap from Sunday's Sermon

Preaching Text: Psalm 46

Psalm 46:10 is worth memorizing: “Be still and know that I am God.” Our fundamental problem is that we want to be God. That was the underlying temptation of Adam and Eve. It still pervades humanity today. We have control issues, power issues, submission issues. In contrast, the “stillness of worship” recognizes who is actually God and surrenders to him. The opening words of our worship declare who is Lord and of what he is Lord. “Blessed be God…and blessed be his Kingdom.” 

Jesus is the only suitable King of this world.

He is the personal embodiment of Psalm 46. No one else is adequate to handle the various things mentioned: trouble, fear, environmental calamity, nations raging, and wars. Nevertheless, God’s kingdom is never in trouble.

Verse 3 speaks of the waters roaring. Matthew 8:23-27 describes how Jesus handles the raging seas. He simply says, “be still.” The wind obeys him. He does likewise with demons, leprosy and many other problems. Throughout this Psalm, the presence of God with his people is a repeated theme. One of the many names for Jesus is Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” Jesus’ last words in Matthew are, “I am with you until the end of the age.”

Jesus cautions that hardships will come (See John 17 and Matthew 10). We must recognize that God’s kingdom is clashing with lesser worldly kingdoms. His kingdom is wherever his rule is recognized and honored. Develop those places in your life. Look for the King himself to be active so you can “Be still and know that [he’s] God.”  

Taking it home: Inventory all in your life that is joyfully submitted to God’s rule. Repent of anywhere you exert your will independently. Make this your “breath prayer” anytime you’re anxious: “Be still, He is God.”