CHURCH OF CHRIST, SANGOTEDO

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

Psalm 46:10

A Sermon Presented by Bro. Essien Ekong (Bishop)19-June-2016

INTRODUCTION“The idea of calm exists in a sitting cat” - Jane Pauley

Crazy things may be going on around it but a cat looks on with aloofness and imperturbability

Wouldn’t it be nice to have some of the calmness?

Being still and calm doesn’t come naturally (we tend to run in the direction of anxiety and agitation) God takes over when we keep still.

INTRODUCTIONBit by bit we learn how to be calmBeing still and calm gives us strength and ability to withstand the stress of constant change.

Calmness can preach a powerful sermon even when few words are spoken

Psalm 46 God is a refuge in times of trouble

(vv. 1-3)

God is with us in times of trouble (vv. 4-7)

God must be thought of in times of trouble (vv. 8-11) Behold (v. 8)

Be still (v. 10)

Times of Trouble and Turmoil What are we to do in times of trouble

and turmoil? Fall away? Complain? The world is filled with “noise”

(46:2,3,6,9): worldliness, wickedness, war (Isa. 17:12-13;) Hab. 2:19-20

19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

20 But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

We need to follow the psalmist’s advice: Be still, and know that I am God (46:10)

Be Still Heb. raphah, “to cease, let go, relax,

leave off, be still”

“Cease striving…” (NASV)

“Let go…” (GWT)

“Desist…” (YLT)

We need to make a regular habit of being “still” to reflect upon God – “stand still” (Ex. 14:13; 1 Sam. 12:16; Job 37:14)

Exodus 18:13- And Moses said unto the people,

Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

1 Samuel 12:16- Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes.

Job 37:14- Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

Be Still Interruption: this psalm speaks to those

who are heavily engrossed in their work or play (Lk. 10:38-42)

Luke 10:38 - Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

10:39 - And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

Be Still

10:40-But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

10:41- And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

10:42- But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Apprehension: this psalm speaks to those who are agitated by life’s troubles and trials (Phil. 4:6-7)

Philippians 4:6- Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

4:7- And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Rebellion: this psalm speaks to those who want to resist God’s word and will

Acts 26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Be Still Be still for Bible reading (Psa. 1:2;

119:15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 148) Psalms 1:2- But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law

doth he meditate day and night.Psalms 119:15- I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto

thy ways. Be still for prayer (Mt. 6:6; Mk. 1:35)Matthew 6:6- But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and

when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Mark 1:35- And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

• Be still for meditation Genesis 24:63- And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the

eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

Psalms 143:5- I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

: 6- I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

• Be still for personal introspection Psalms 4:4- Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own

heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Psalms 4:7- Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the

time that their corn and their wine increased. : 8- I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only

makest me dwell in safety.

And Know That I Am God It is hard to “know” God in the

noise; be still!

We do not know what the outcome is each day, but we know who controls the outcome each day (Psa. 100)