Lenten Reader | Day 21

March 28th, 2022

Be Still

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

- Psalm 46:1-3.8-10

Be still. What do you think of when you hear this frequently quoted passage from Psalm 46:10? The meaning these words for me have varied as I have walked with Jesus in different seasons of my life.

As a young college student at 18, “be still” would come to mind when I was worrying about the next exam. His words provided wisdom as he guided me through each question. As a young bride at 21, “be still” reminded me that even though the time between paychecks seemed like an eternity, God would provide. His words provided stability. As a new mother, “be still” comforted me when I was exhausted with long days filled with chaos. They quietly reminded me to soak in the moments, as the days were indeed long, but the years would be so very short.

And in my current season, He reminds me gently with the same message of being still. This letting go part of parenting is the hardest season. It has challenged me, has brought many tears, and has brought out many bittersweet emotions. Being still means trusting Jesus—not just saying it but believing it. It means trusting the future of your precious children to the One who loves them even more than you. It means releasing the need for control. It means knowing we can be still when they are physically far from us, since He is always near to them. As we release our grown-up babies into an uncertain world filled with chaos, we truly can trust the One who created them.

In every season, God invites us to “be still” in new ways. Whatever season of life you find yourself in today, know that He walks beside you. You are never meant to walk through any season without Him. When life is overwhelming, read these words in Psalm 46 and soak in His presence. Know who He is. Know He is in control. Know He is enough. Be still.

- Allison Butler

Prayer
Father, help me to be still. Especially in the busyness and uncertainty of life, help me to be still and trust you.