Day 188 Be Still and Know

 

7/7/2025 

 "My soul, wait silently for God alone,

for my expectation is from Him."

Psalm 62:5

 

Every seven days I am offered a reprieve from my normal daily walk through the Bible, and a psalm is given as inspiration and a time of worship and reflection. The psalms of David are always a comfort to me, as David always speaks from his heart. As a shepherd David spent so much time alone in the fields watching over his father's flocks, protecting them from the elements and from predators attempting to harm or kill them. His pastoral psalms are so calming, yet riddled with the struggles of his heart and the actual battles he was facing, but he always assures the reader of the strength of the Lord. David knew his God, and as we witness in God's choice of David as the King of Israel, David was special and well known by God. How can one spend so much time alone in prayer together and not know the true motives of a person's heart. God called David the apple of His eye, and in spite of David's lowly status with his family, God chose him to rule and reign over Israel for ever. 

Psalm 62 was apparently written during a period of time when David was having difficulty, as he was obviously in distress, considering the anguish and passion of his words. Yet, in spite of whatever hardship or controversy David faced, his poems always reflected his unwavering trust in God. As the psalm begins, David writes in verses 1-2: "I stand silently before the Lord, waiting for him to rescue me. For salvation comes from Him alone. Yes, He alone is my Rock, my rescuer, defense and fortress. Why then should I be tense with fear when troubles come?" David repeats these exact words again in verses 5-6 re-emphasizing his confidence in the Lord his God, the Shepherd of his soul who never abandoned him in the pastures or desert all those lonely years of tending sheep. David was so certain of his Father's love that in Psalm 27:10 he wrote: "When my father and mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me." Although David's lineage may have been questionable, God love for him was not. 

I've been watching the new series, The House of David, and it portrays David as rejected by his father after his mother died, because David's father, Jesse, had a relationship with David's mother outside of marriage. While she was alive, David was considered part of the household, but later, after she died, David spent most of his time with the sheep. Jesse's other sons did not consider him a true brother nor Jesse a true son. This is why he did not call for Jesse when Samuel asked to meet all his sons. Jesse made sure that David spent his time with the sheep in the pasture. David could not read or write, but he wrote beautiful music and poems which later became the psalms. It is said that he learned to read and write as a servant in the house of Saul. 

It's interesting watching the stories of great men of God. This series is well done, as is The Chosen series. Both are the works of creative genius, and prayerfully will be used to bring many to belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord. I recommend both. 

Over the past few days, the Lord has impressed upon me the words found in the above Psalm 62, but He also points me to Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God." Listen to the strength and calming reassurance of the entire Psalm, because in today's world situation it is good to cling on to single verses that bring peace, as with in verse 10, but it is wise to consider the whole counsel of the word and see its relevance for today. In your study of the word of God, remember that context is key! I am using the The Living Bible translation for emphasis today:

"God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. And so we need not fear even if the world blows up, and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble! 

There is a river of joy flowing through the City of our God - the sacred home of the God above all gods. God Himself is living in that City; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay His help. The nations rant and rave in anger - but when God speaks, the earth melts in submission and kingdoms totter into ruin. 

The Commander of the armies of heaven is here among us. He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us.

Come, see the glorious things that our God does, how He brings ruin upon the world, and causes wars to end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon. 'Stand silent! Know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation in the world!' 

The Commander of the heavenly armies is here among us! He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us!"  

Many may not find comfort in those words at this time, because they may be in the midst of wars, terrible loss as with the floods in Texas, the loss of loved ones. Somewhere, always, in this vast world, there will be storms, whether physical, actual and tangible ones, or those that rage within our hearts and minds. Memories can be tormenting, and the enemy of our souls does not easily relent, but we can be confident that we have a God who never changes, and He is even more relentless in His love. Jesus has overcome the devil, and even though he roams this earth, he has been defeated. So rise up and take up your position in heaven, seated beside Christ as a believer, and know without a doubt that He is Lord, and God will be exalted in every nation in the world!