Be Still

Be Still

By James Smith

      "Be still--and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10

      This most precious Psalm has been a source of blessing to many of the Lord's people. It is in general the language of one deeply taught of God, living in close communion with God, and therefore exercising strong confidence in God. Rising above second causes, God is seen working, supplying, and making his people happy. The most terrible convulsions are supposed--but faith remains firm. An invitation to behold the works of God is given, especially his victories over his warlike foes. Then the Lord himself interposes, he appears in his majesty, he speaks with authority, he commands silence, he says, "Be still!" He will be known, acknowledged, and exalted. His glory shall cover the heavens, and the earth shall be filled with his praise. Let us hear God speak, and seek grace to profit by his words.

      "Be still." That is--do not fret. Do the wicked prosper, do your enemies increase, do your foes prevail? Are your circumstances trying, perplexing, and painful? "Fret not yourself." There is no cause for it. There is no good to be gotten by it. Your God knows all about it. He wisely permits it. He intends to glorify himself by it. It is for trial, for the trial of your graces and principles. "Be still." Complain not. Israel in the desert met with sore trials, with great privation, with painful mortifications; but we read that "when the people complained, it displeased the Lord." And as the Lord was displeased with complaining Israel, so will he be displeased with you; and if displeased he will hide his face, withhold his comforts, and perhaps close his hand.

      They had little cause to complain, if they looked back to what they were in Egypt, or forward to what was before them in Canaan. Just so with us--what cause can we have to complain? What were we? Where are we? What would we have been--but for the grace of God? Complain! Nothing can be more unseemly! Nothing can be more ungrateful.

      "Be still." That is--do not kick against God's dispensations. His purposes are like mountains of brass, on them we can make no impression--but we may greatly injure ourselves. His providence is a great deep; we may sail over it--but we can never fathom it, or divert its course. Are you wiser than God? Would you counsel him whose understanding is infinite? Resistance is folly! Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft!

      "Be still." That is--yield yourself unto God. Bow to his sovereignty. Submit to his rule. Acquiesce in his will. Be not like dead matter, or a lifeless corpse, "But submit yourself unto God, as one that is alive from the dead."

Be Still

Be Still

By James Smith


"Be still--and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10

This most precious Psalm has been a source of blessing to many of the Lord's people. It is in general the language of one deeply taught of God, living in close communion with God, and therefore exercising strong confidence in God. Rising above second causes, God is seen working, supplying, and making his people happy. The most terrible convulsions are supposed--but faith remains firm. An invitation to behold the works of God is given, especially his victories over his warlike foes. Then the Lord himself interposes, he appears in his majesty, he speaks with authority, he commands silence, he says, "Be still!" He will be known, acknowledged, and exalted. His glory shall cover the heavens, and the earth shall be filled with his praise. Let us hear God speak, and seek grace to profit by his words.

"Be still." That is--do not fret. Do the wicked prosper, do your enemies increase, do your foes prevail? Are your circumstances trying, perplexing, and painful? "Fret not yourself." There is no cause for it. There is no good to be gotten by it. Your God knows all about it. He wisely permits it. He intends to glorify himself by it. It is for trial, for the trial of your graces and principles. "Be still." Complain not. Israel in the desert met with sore trials, with great privation, with painful mortifications; but we read that "when the people complained, it displeased the Lord." And as the Lord was displeased with complaining Israel, so will he be displeased with you; and if displeased he will hide his face, withhold his comforts, and perhaps close his hand.

They had little cause to complain, if they looked back to what they were in Egypt, or forward to what was before them in Canaan. Just so with us--what cause can we have to complain? What were we? Where are we? What would we have been--but for the grace of God? Complain! Nothing can be more unseemly! Nothing can be more ungrateful.

"Be still." That is--do not kick against God's dispensations. His purposes are like mountains of brass, on them we can make no impression--but we may greatly injure ourselves. His providence is a great deep; we may sail over it--but we can never fathom it, or divert its course. Are you wiser than God? Would you counsel him whose understanding is infinite? Resistance is folly! Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft!

"Be still." That is--yield yourself unto God. Bow to his sovereignty. Submit to his rule. Acquiesce in his will. Be not like dead matter, or a lifeless corpse, "But submit yourself unto God, as one that is alive from the dead."

"Be still." That is--be silent before the Lord. The Psalmist said, "I was silent, and opened not my mouth, because you did it." This was wise. This was befitting. Look at Israel's high priest, his two sons were slain by one stroke, by fire from the Lord, "But Aaron held his peace." Deeply did he feel. Nature in him was the same as nature in us, and therefore when Moses afterwards reproved him for neglect he said, "Such things have befallen me." Such things! Such uncommon things! Such painful, such distressing things! Yet he did not complain. He held his peace. Believer, whatever loss you sustain. Whatever cross you are called to bear. Whatever rivers of trouble you may have to wade through--be silent. Keep your mouth as it were with a bridle. Utter not one word of complaint or repining--but bow like the pliant fern to the breeze.

"Be still." That is--wait. God will not be hurried. He will not have his work hastened. Lay yourself at his feet. Watch at the posts of his doors. Say with the tried Church of old, "I will wait for the Lord who hides himself--and I will look for him." The Lord will appear. Circumstances will change. It will be all right in the end. Lay yourself at the Lord's feet. Watch the Lord's hand. Expect the fulfillment of the promise, and all will be well.