Have you ever been assigned a responsibility, and then others took over? They wanted to run the show, and you were pushed aside. You felt sad and frustrated because you could not do what you were assigned to do. You could not be who you were called to be. When this happens, everyone's potential is lost — because your vision is squelched and your guidance suppressed.

This is what happens when authority is defied, when children run the home, when students disrespect the teacher, and when anarchists sway the masses. It happens when God's prophets get thrown in the dungeon, and their voice of spiritual authority is silenced. Confusion and chaos ensue when few know that God is the ultimate authority. This happens when a society forgets who is God:

Romans 1:21b,28a – They neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him. They did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God. (NIV)

We easily recognize the evidence around us. To be sure, any of us can forget who is God, especially in worrisome and fretful situations. We lose sight of the fact that God is the One who rules the universe and who can manage our every need. This tempts us to become anxious and controlling.

Thankfully, our mighty God keeps calling to us and reminding us of Himself, perhaps through Scripture:

Psalm 46:10a – Be still, and know that I am God. (NIV)

In other words:

Give Me your attention folks! Know that it's Me who is God! Know that I am the One in charge; not you! Know that I run the universe; not you! Know that I am the voice of authority; not you. Know that I am God; not you! Be still! Silence the frenzied voices in your mind. Tune out the noisy babble around you which tempts you to seize the "forbidden fruit": to be something greater than you really are, to be your own master, to be "as God", your very own God. You cannot be God! Remember who is truly God. Be still and know that I am God!

With these thoughts in mind, I invite you to meditate on Psalm 46 in its entirety. It reminds us of who is God in the midst of our own personal life happenings and concerns. Perhaps each one will respond with gratitude — like this:

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for this psalm, this breath-taking, vivid, poetic portrait of You as our mighty, majestic, and protecting God! May these words inspire me to accept my own frail humanity and to know You more truly and fully for who You are: God! Amen.

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About the author:

Diane Eaton <dianeeaton6@gmail.com>
Paisley, Ontario, Canada
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