Finding Peace in Conflict: The Surprising Wisdom of Being Still

Recently, a number of friends have been asking me to pray for the various difficulties that they are suddenly struggling with. Part of it stems from an unexpected physical or mental illness, while other issues arise from unforeseen challenging interpersonal interactions. It's almost like battling obstacles from different directions. If you've been facing similar difficulties recently, today's message is intended for you. 

Today, I invite you to join me in reading Psalm 46. It is commonly thought that this Psalm was composed during a period of war. 

The 46th psalm was composed by the sons of Korah, descendants of a rebellious leader whom God punished in the wilderness. These sons turned away from the rebellion and became symbols of worship from a repentant heart. 

The psalm begins by encouraging reliance on God for strength during unexpected and challenging situations, ranging from personal struggles to natural disasters and different dangers: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah” 

Occasionally, sections of the psalm conclude with the Hebrew term “selah,” encouraging individuals to pause and contemplate the message. This act of pausing and reflecting is intended to guide readers or singers of the psalm on a spiritual journey toward discovering peace and strength during times of “war.” 

Instead of offering my personal reflections on each part of the psalm, I encourage readers to embark on their own journey of pausing, contemplating, and gaining insights during hardships, which are intended to yield “gold” if readers learn to “selah”.

Nonetheless, I will conclude with the concluding thought from the final portion of the psalm: “He says, ‘Be still, and recognize that I am God; I will be honored among the nations, I will be honored throughout the earth.’ The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” - Psalm 46:10-11

In the final section, people engaged in conflict are encouraged to "be still" and "recognize that God is God." It's an unusual way to conclude a psalm or a war, isn't it? This verse brings to mind a familiar scene where a parent shouts at a child who is too excited in an intense game, knowing it will only end in tears unless the child is told to "stop" and "understand that the parent is in charge." Likewise, readers are invited to stop what they are doing and focus on being a child of God. In the place of “being” they will allow God to be God and take care of the “doing”.

"Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." Romans 8:26-28 MSG