Since they think they are self-entitled, they will not compromise or adjust their demands to accommodate others. What they want is what they should get, even if it costs their relationships.
Month: June 2023
The Biblical Background of Psalm 46
Psalm 46 is a song for Zion, God’s holy city where his people dwell with him—the city is holy because God dwells in it. This psalm is all about security with God that God is our true home. It’s mostly written in third-person, but at verse 10 there’s a change and God speaks directly. Throughout the 11 verses, we also read several descriptions about God—his characteristics and attributes: he is our refuge, he is strong, present, and a great help to those who are weak. God is higher than all else and able to rule above all. At his voice the earth melts.
We read this is the God of Jacob, he is with believers, and he is exalted among the nations and in the earth. He is a fortress and protects the weak that belong to him. The psalmist is probably living through some sort of turmoil or war as he mentions the phrases: trouble, the nations rage, the kingdoms totter, war, the spear, bow, and chariots—though the psalm is also pointing forward to a future time when wars will cease. It is clear by the end of the psalm that waring against God is always in vain, and the people of God who are protected by their Mighty Fortress have nothing to fear.
A big takeaway from Psalm 46 is that the people of God are always secure no matter what environment they may be living in on earth—turmoil, war, destruction, etc.—God has secured the souls of believers through his Son Jesus Christ.
Two Steps for How to ‘Be Still’ and Silent:
“As we become silent, we have two aims:
1. Remove external distractions.
First, it is important to remove distractions. Life can be fast-paced. We may be overwhelmed with busyness and activities. We may feel we can’t slow down. Our busyness can get in the way of having time alone.
Find a specific time and place for solitude. Turn off any distracting noise in the background. Take the time to experience God’s presence.
2. Silence internal distractions.
Second, besides removing outside distractions, it is essential to silence our inner being. That is, banish all the thoughts within us that pull our attention away. If something needs to be taken care of later, write it down and then forget about it for now.” -‘The section Two Steps for How to ‘Be Still’ and Silent” is excerpted from Deborah Nayrocker’s Encouragement to be Still and Know God’s Love on Crosswalk.com
12. Disrespects Others’ Possession or Properties
This person does not care about others’ stuff. They are not a good steward of the things they borrow simply because they are not theirs. For example, they borrow a friend’s book, use it with dirty hands, and leave it lying everywhere.
7 Other Translations of “Be Still and Know”
It’s always enlightening to read a verse in several Bible versions to see what English words translators have used to convey meaning:
English Standard Version
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
New American Standard Bible
“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
King James Version
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
New King James Version
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Christian Standard Version
“Stop [your fighting]-and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.“
New International Version
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
New Living Translation
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
The key commands we read in these various translations are “be still,” “cease striving,” and “stop.” The next command “know” is the same in all the above translations, which lends itself in this context to mean “acknowledge” and “be in awe.” God will make sure his name is glorified among the nations and in all the earth.
Inconsiderate
7. Does Not Care If Others are Uncomfortable Because of Them
Since they are self-centered, do not expect this kind of person to think about what others feel. They can be straightforward, even though they know they might offend someone. And even if they are not welcome in a place, they will still go simply because they want to.
8. Puts Themselves Before Others, Even Family
Do not expect a selfish person to care about others, even their own family members. They only look after themselves. They are not willing to sacrifice time or resources, even if they know someone close to them is in dire need.
9. Carelessly Tactless
As mentioned in no. 7, an egotistical person can be straightforward without caring about how others feel. They are tactless and will not try to find gentle words when talking to someone. What only matters to them is they get their message across.
10. Disregards Others’ Beliefs
This kind of person is often closed-minded. They think they are always right, and it is their duty to correct others. They are disrespectful to other people’s beliefs or principles simply because those are different from their own.
What Is the Real Meaning of “Be Still and Know”?
John Casteel, Senior Pastor of The Bridge in South Carolina and former pastor of mine, points out that “be still” is the same thing that Jesus says to the wind and the waves in Mark 4:39. The wind and the sea completely died down in silence, in awe and worship of the Creator. Casteel continues,
“There is a silence and stillness that should overtake us in the presence of someone that is so overwhelmingly holy and glorious. The call to all is to be still before our holy, awesome, and glorious God.”
To summarize Casteel, as more knowledge and worship flow out of the city Zion—that is God’s message shared with the world—the more people will come to know him and understand his ultimate security and enjoy his presence. God’s goal in being with his people is so they can accomplish his purpose, to spread knowledge of him so more and more people can come to know him.
The people of God must stop what they are doing and acknowledge that God alone is the sovereign ruler of the universe and commit to following him. He will one day stop all wars and he will be exalted among the nations (the Gentiles and Jewish believers as one family, the Church) and all the earth. There will be no question of who God is and what he is doing.
At God’s voice the earth melts, the enemies cease fighting, and the people of God remember who their God is. God commands stillness and silence, but why is this important for the people of God? The people of God were prone to fear; they needed to remember who their God is. We don’t need to fear the end of our life—even in the midst of battle—because we’re going to that city; we’re going to Zion one day. We will dwell with God and there will be no more wars, no pain, and no end (See Rev. 21). We don’t need to fear what the world can do; we need to remember who our God is and we need to share that knowledge with others.
So, there’s nothing wrong with the translation “Be still” in Psalm 46:10 vs. “Stop fighting” or “Cease striving,” and there’s certainly nothing wrong with believers taking time to be still and quiet before the Lord in prayer. That’s something Christians should do every day, and we have Jesus as our example for that in Luke 5. But is the quiet, meditative interpretation of “be still” the best interpretation for Psalm 46:10 based on the context of the psalm as a whole? Maybe not, as it may take away from the intensity of the psalm—the way that God can command the earth and everything in it to be still before him and it is. But here’s what we need to remember about the application of this verse and the different views.
Regardless of whether we interpret the “be still,” “cease striving,” or “stop” phrase of Psalm 46:10 to be God’s words toward the enemies of the people of God, his people, or both groups, there is great comfort in this psalm that extends past one verse. We should find immense comfort in the fact that our God is an impenetrable refuge, that he will bring glory to his name among the nations and all the earth, and that he will protect his people and bring them to everlasting peace. But God does call us to stop fearing, to be still and commit to him. In order to feel secure, we have to know that we have an impenetrable home with God. Casteel reminds us,
“In order to find security in God, we have to stop finding security in everything else. …Nothing in this world will offer you the security you have in God.”
May stand-alone verses that we see on graphics or read in posts, like Psalm 46:10, always inspire us to read more of God’s Word. When we see the same verses in the future we will remember the deeper context of the passage and be thankful for who God is in our lives and the incredible things he is doing. And we get to be a part of it! Our amazing God, who is so far above us, allows us and encourages us to carry out his purpose with him. If we take away nothing else from this psalm, let us remember the call to spread God’s Word so that others may find the same security we have.
“…My idea of God is not a divine idea. It has to be shattered from time to time. He shatters it Himself. He is the great iconoclast. Could we not almost say that this shattering is one of the marks of His presence?” –C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed
God will make sure his glory is known. His Word reminds us who he is and calls us to worship in awe. Be still and remember who God is, be still and stop fearing, be still and see what God is doing, be still and acknowledge his greatness, be still and know God is with you…now spread the knowledge of who he is!
The Message of Psalm 46:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives 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
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”
6. Manipulates Situations to Get What They Want
A selfish person can be manipulative too. Whenever they do not get what they want, they will maneuver the situation to favor themselves. For instance, they will bribe judges in a competition to ensure they win the first spot.
5. Flaunts Everything on Social Media
A vain person also posts everything about themselves on social media—not to inspire or express happiness—but to show off. They want to brag about their designer bags or shoes so that others will envy them.
Persecution Live 