"Be Still, And Know That I Am God"

Our title comes from Psalm 46, and could well be taken as a motto for the

New Year.

For we enter 1991 with continuing restlessness in many parts of the world, "like the troubled sea; for it cannot rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt", as we read in Isaiah (57:20). Greater freedoms in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, welcome in many respects, have nevertheless given opportunity for an explosion of disruptive nationalistic feeling. Several republics of the Soviet Union are agitating for political independence, leading in some cases to armed conflict between rival ethnic groups. Ancient national rivalries have flared up in the Balkans. Tension continues between India and Pakistan. Sri Lanka still suffers problems with Tamil dissidents. North American Indians have militantly reasserted their resentments. Strife continues in Northern Ireland. The Palestinians doggedly pursue their agitation for an independent state. Tragic violence continues in Liberia and South Africa. The list seems endless. Like a troubled sea indeed, there is restlessness world-wide.

A restlessness which escalates in crisis times to raging storm, the waters roaring and troubled, fitting illustration of destructive power unleashed by major international conflict. Humanly helpless against such overwhelming forces, whether of nature or military might, the believer thankfully takes refuge in God's sovereign control. From the majestic ninety-third psalm comes the assurance that "Above the voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty". Ethan the Ezrahite shared the same confidence:

O LORD God of hosts,

Who is a mighty one, like unto Thee, 0 JAH?

And Thy faithfulness is round about Thee.

Thou rulest the pride of the sea:

When the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them" (Ps. 89:8,9).

Again in Psalm 65 David linked God's control of the seas with His control of the nations:

O God of our salvation...

Which stilleth the roaring of the seas, the roaring of the waves, And the tumult of the peoples (Ps. 65:5,7).

Whatever 1991 may hold in store, may we have grace to respond to

God's counsel, "Be still, and know that I am God". As we cultivate a spirit of quietly resting on His promises, we may confidently observe the unfolding of His remarkable plans towards the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ. During the past two years events in Eastern Europe and the Middle East have developed at bewildering speed. There may well be further unexpected, dramatic changes during 1991, whether in Europe, the Middle East or elsewhere. "Put them in fear, 0 LORD" wrote David. "Let the nations know themselves to be but men" (1?s. 9:20). When we remember the basic challenge to God's Anointed by the Islamic faith, and widespread godlessness in many western nations, it cannot be surprising if divine chastisement is meted out through international conflict and economic disruption. "He that chastiseth the nations, shall He not correct?" (Ps. 94:10).

Thankfully we have the word of prophecy made more sure (2 Pet. 1:19), including the mighty challenge of the second Psalm:

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD, and against His anointed.

A prophecy which will find future fulfilment when the Antichrist mobilizes world power against God and against His Christ. Psalm 46 also looks primarily towards that same fearful time of Jacob's trouble. Through convulsive devastation and change the godly of Israel will find in Jehovah their refuge and strength, a very 'present help. "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" will express their confidence; a confidence not misplaced, but "God shall help her, and that right early. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His voice, the earth melted" (vv. 5,6). The psalm also reviews the effects of Messiah's complete victory:

Come, behold the works of the LORD, What desolations He hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth.

Then we read, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth".

Amidst all the world's present confusion and strife, faith looks forward to this assured triumph of the Prince of peace.

unknown | Jan 1991
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