“Be still, and know that I am God” -Psalm 46:10

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Dear Friends in Christ,

This passage from scripture (Psalm 46:10) has been a focus for centering in my prayer life through the years. It comes from a psalm that has been an inspiration for many through the centuries. It was the basis of Martin Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.” Now this Psalm speaks even more powerfully to our generation.

The psalm speaks a message we need to hear today: that God is in control and that God is for us. God is our “refuge, strength and help.” Therefore, we do not fear though everything appears to be out of control.

The psalmist speaks this message by painting the worst case scenario: “the mountains shaking and trembling and falling.” In the psalmist’s world view, the mountains are what held everything together. They were what kept the dry land anchored in the midst of a watery chaos and the pillars that kept the sky from falling on us. So, even if there was a huge earthquake and a gigantic hurricane (or, as we would add today, a melting of the polar caps and a depletion of the ozone levels) we will not fear for “God is with us.”

And another worst case scenario: “though the nations roar, kingdoms fall and the earth melts” we will not fear for “God is with us!” We might add today: “Though the economy falls into total disarray we will not fear for “God is with us.”

In the midst of these worst case scenarios God has come and will continue to come. In the midst of death God brings life. What looks like the worst thing that could happen to us becomes the way by which God works the miracle of new life. The death and resurrection of Jesus was the “first fruit” of God’s action for us. In our Baptism we have been connected to this fruit of God’s action in the world.

The psalmist encourages us then to “Be still” (which literally means “stop” and “throw down your weapons”) and “know that I am God.” In other words, trust God and depend on God’s presence and power and not your own powers. This is the essence of faith for the psalmist.

This is the essence of faith for us as we face a time when everyone is thinking about the “worst case scenarios.” As Christians we have a witness to make to the world. A witness that says we trust and depend on God when everything seems like it is falling apart.

May the Spirit give us such faith as God’s people in the world.

Your brother in Christ,

Bishop Jim Stuck