PSALM 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

The theme for the year 2026 is "Be Still." There is so much going on in all our lives. We move from one thing to the next without taking time out to rest or be still. We pray for answers and then we don't stop to listen. So, this year make it a point to stop and listen. Make it a point to BE STILL.

Psalm 46 starts out with:

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

God is our refuge and strength: Many of the other psalms begin with a description of the psalmist's crisis. In Psalm 46, the poet begins with God's provision. He looked to God for help in difficult times and found it. He could say these things by experience:
· That God Himself was a place of refuge, as the cities of refuge protected the fugitive in Israel.
· That God Himself was strength for His people, being strong for them and in them.
· That God alone was his refuge and strength, not God and something or someone else.
· That God Himself was their help - not from a distance, but a very present help.

The psalmist applied the logic of faith. If God is a real refuge, strength, and help to His people, then there is no logical reason to fear - even in the biggest crisis (though the earth be removed). The earth be removed...the mountains carried...the waters roar...the mountains shake: The psalmist considered the most frightening, humbling natural phenomenon imaginable. He then made the reasoned estimation that God was greater than them all, and fear before these in some way robbed God of some of His honor. Selah: The greatness of thought in this psalm was and is worthy of pause and careful thought.

Then the Psalm gives us a word from God Himself.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

Be still, and know that I am God: The idea is not that the faithful reader should stop activity and stand in one place. The sense is more that argument and opposition should stop and be still. This is done in recognition of God's glory and greatness, as mentioned in the previous verse. The idea is something like this: "As you know the glory and greatness of God, stop your mouth from arguing with Him or opposing Him. Simply surrender."

In this setting, 'be still and know that I am God' is not advice to us to lead a contemplative life, however important that may be.... It means rather, 'Lay down your arms. Surrender and acknowledge that I am the one and only victorious God.'

The LORD of hosts is with us: We can have the confidence that the same God exalted in all the earth is with us. We need no more. The God of Jacob is our refuge: We leave the psalm with confidence and serenity. This is worthy of reflection, closing with Selah.