Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. ” This verse constitutes one of the most beautiful and hope-filled passages in the entire Holy Bible. In a time when chaos seems to swirl around us unceasingly, and so much of the moral and spiritual ground on which we stand seems to be shifting, what a blessing to know that God is there, and that (in His time and in His own way) the non-believers and the world at large will have to acknowledged Him.
One important principle in this verse is God's command (through the psalmist) that we "be still." As Origen of Alexandria wrote (in the third century): "It is not possible to know Him if one has not become still and purified one's mind." Stillness does not mean a lack of movement. "Stillness," in the way it is used in the psalm implies we need to slow down, turn some things off, turn some things down, be more meditative and more prayerful. In other words, God wants us to "know" that He is God, and that He will ultimately triumph. However, to know that we need have the "down time," the "quiet time" in our lives that will allow us to hear Him as He quietly whispers to us through His Holy Spirit.
We must each ask ourselves, "How can I be more still so that I can hear Him more loudly?" We need to consider what things in our lives are expendable so that we have more time for the things which matter most. We need to slow down and created dedicated time and even dedicated space for prayer, meditation, scripture study, and the contemplation of the most sacred things. God wants us to "know" Him and to hear His voice. But, if we are not "still," we will ultimately walk alone.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
