Articles
Still Waters
In Psalm 23, we find a line that speaks of the comfort the Lord his Shepherd gives to the psalmist: “He leads me beside the still waters” (Psa. 23:2). The phrase might be literally translated as ‘waters of rest’ or ‘waters of relaxation,’ but let us not miss the point of what the psalmist is telling us.
Whether the writer is speaking about the waters themselves that were peaceful, or simply being beside those waters was what brought peace to him, the meaning is intended to be the same. For example, if you have ever stood relatively close to a raging stream or river, it was clear the waters were not peaceful, and it was just as likely that your disposition was not one of calm and peacefulness, either! It is difficult to be calm when you see those waters crashing and rushing with great power and noise, but quiet and still waters give us a sense of calm and peace that is much needed.
The psalmist is telling us of the leadership of the Lord for His people, where they [like sheep under the shepherd] are tended and cared for, and can “lie down in green pastures” because of His care and protection, and because He, as the Shepherd, gives them that peace they need. It is a peace we need, too — especially now.
This calendar year has been one of great upheaval, stress and distress, change, discomfort, fear, conflict, and unease, to say the least. Because of the ongoing pandemic, people have panicked, government officials have shut down entire states and the vast majority of businesses and, thus, the source of income for millions of people, putting a further strain on their lives, their families, and their finances. Many people haven’t worked in weeks and even months and are depending on the generosity of others for food and funds to pay continuing bills. Add to this the daily updates and status reports that all seem to conflict with or even contradict one another, the bickering and outrage and finger-pointing, and it is obvious the atmosphere is not getting any more peaceful.
Then, add to all this the fact that almost any discussion of what facts are actually facts is going to get quickly heated, the various conspiracy theories about the virus, and the contentious debate over what is the ‘right’ thing to do for personal protection and how or whether to open up the economy, and one must admit the environment is anything but calm, serene, and peaceful. It is in times like these we could certainly use some “still waters.”
In another psalm, another psalmist writes some words relevant to our situation and our need: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psa. 46:10). In the context of that psalm, the writer began by declaring, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psa. 46:1), and because of this could then say, “we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling” (Psa. 46:2). In what might have seemed like the world being turned upside-down, the psalmist knew, “God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved” (Psa. 46:5).
The point of this psalm is to remind those who know God [and maybe even to give hope to those who didn’t know God] that, with Him as our God, there is no need to fear anything that might come our way. It didn’t matter what troubles they faced, God was their refuge and strength (Psa. 46:1), and there was no need to fear. Though other “nations raged” and “kingdoms moved” (Psa. 46:6), with God as their God, they could and would stand firm. In the face of trials, disasters, wars, unease, and even pandemics, we must learn to “Be still” because God is God!
The original Hebrew word here translated as “Be still” can be literally translated into a word we can easily understand: RELAX! The psalmist is essentially telling the hearers to relax and not be anxious or worried, because God is our God. For those who know God and who He is and what He can and will do, this is a great source of comfort, for this is the God who created all things and sustains all things and rules over all things. This is not mere wishful thinking or denying reality for the sake of some false sense of comfort or peace of mind; if anything, this is a matter of accepting the truth that God is more powerful than any man, any calamity, or any force of nature.
Remember, this is the God who, in the form of man when he walked this earth, once “rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39). When Jesus commanded the elements of nature, they heeded Him! Those who saw this marveled at His power, but they also recognized He was no mere man. Where they once feared the possibility of death (Mark 4:38), their awe of His power made them forget those fears and see there was one greater than the wind and the waves.
In that story, Jesus commanded peace and stillness of the wind, but caused peace and stillness for those who were previously fearful. The point here is that God is not going to force you to have peace of mind and freedom from worry, but He has given us plenty of evidence to convince us we need not fear or worry unnecessarily. Don’t you think that if He has power over this, that the actions of man are as nothing? And viruses or any other cause for otherwise inducing panic in the masses? Can He not give us peace and comfort in such times as these? Can we not also heed the words of the psalmist when He says, “Be still” [i.e., relax; don’t worry]? We can, but only if we know Him and trust Him.
Let us not make the mistake, though, of thinking that if God is so powerful, He won’t allow any of His people to suffer pains, oppression, sorrows, sickness, or strange and powerful viruses. The Bible is full of examples of God’s people suffering those things and much more, so that is not even a realistic expectation and no such promise of a trouble-free life was ever made.
But what God did promise still holds true even today for those who are His people: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). While God’s people may not escape suffering, disease, or even death, they do have peace and can live without fear, worry, or anxiety because God is still God and He will not abandon His people to the elements of the world. The apostle Paul admonished the early disciples, in fact, to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6, 7).
You see, those “still waters” we seek and we need are found in Christ; peace is found in Christ (Rom. 5:1). In Him, with the knowledge our sins are forgiven and with the knowledge of the promise of eternal life with Him in heaven after this earthly life, we can face whatever may come with the knowledge that it really is nothing, in the whole scheme of things. .
So, when all the news about the virus starts to overwhelm you, “Be still”; when the world we once knew is unrecognizable and uncertain, “Be still”; God is still God, and God still knows your every need, and cares about you. — Steven Harper
