Shine in the Darkness - Part 2Sýnishorn

Refuge

A few years ago, my daughter was in a high school chemistry lab fire where a broken petri glass caused an explosion that burst fire onto the students.  She was one of three students hit by the flames and was rushed to the ER.  She was covered in burns, which took 3 hours a day to slowly and carefully change the dressings.  

There is no worse call for a parent to get than one indicating your child has been injured.  In times of crisis like this or others that enter my life, it is easy for my mind to start racing to the “what-ifs” and play out a million different scenarios.  It was in one of these times of crisis that a friend challenged me to memorize a scripture to repeat whenever my mind got away from me. 

Psalm 46 was what my heart needed.

I’ve heard the first verse of the Psalm can be described as a coat hanger, and all the clothing (verses 2–11) hangs on that hanger. 

v 1 - God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in times of trouble. 

This Psalm is most commonly known for verse 10, “Be still and know that I am God.”  But what I love about this psalm is the picture that is painted about WHEN we need to be still. 

Verses 2-3 go on to paint a picture of tremendous catastrophes that would affect everyone around….., "the earth gives way, the mountains fall into the sea…"  Can you imagine?? The shaking ground and crumbling earth would be enough to cause terror in anyone’s heart.

In all likelihood, the Psalmist is not just describing natural disasters, but any “earth-shattering” events that affect your life. 

Whenever the chaos strikes, when war erupts, or economies fail….He is our refuge.  

He is our refuge and very present help when dams give way, planes crash, or viruses hit. 

In some translations of this Psalm, the word “Selah” appears, which according to scholars, most likely is a musical notation indicating a pause, encouraging quiet reflection.  One author said, “They are built-in hints.”

When chaos envelopes us, when anxiety fills us, when there are more questions than answers, God calls us to rest; to be still.  It’s counter-intuitive for certain!

To help it sink in, try reading a few of these translations….

"Cease striving and know that I am God! Stand silent! Know that I am God!"  (The Living Bible)
 

"Let be and be still, and know-recognize and understand-that I am God." (The  Amplified Bible)
 

"Give in," he cries, "admit that I am God." (Moffat)
 

"Stop fighting," he says, "and know that I am God." (Today's English Version)
 

"Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything." (The Message)

So while in a time of crisis remember that God is, very presently, with you and you are commanded to stop, rest, relax, and let go. It’s worth it. It’s His instruction, so give it a try.

Author: Shana Case, Executive Director of Ministry Operations - Global Leadership Network