Episode Transcript
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
Abba, I belong to you.
I lift up my heart to you.
I set my mind on you.
I fix my eyes on you.
I offer my body to you as a living sacrifice.
Abba, we belong to you.
Praying in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
CONSIDER THIS
With thousands of submissions so far in the New Year—New Word Challenge, I know many are wondering, What were the most popular verses sent in?
I'll share more in time, but so far, the third most popular verse sent in for 2025 is Psalm 46:10.
The well-known verse often gets reduced down to these eight words:
“Be still, and know that I am God;"
I know all too well the context of this verse is the very same context of the people to whom the Lord is speaking this Word. Verse one gives us that context:
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
The all-too-familiar context, then and now, can be summed up in one word: trouble. It may just be the most practical word Jesus ever spoke: "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33b).
Notice how the psalmist chooses not to begin with the trouble, but by declaring the ever-present presence of God. The trouble gets rehearsed in verse 2 and it feels like a massive earthquake—like the ground is crumbling beneath your feet.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
But notice something here. When we begin by declaring the ever-present presence of God—and only then the nature of the trouble—a room opens up. And the new room is filled with possibilities that do not exist outside of the room. The door into the room is formed by the word "therefore." The room is the refuge of the ever-present presence of God. And the new possibility in that room: "We will not fear."
And that's it, isn't it? The problem is not the earthquake or the storm. It's the fear and ensuing anxiety it evokes in us. Fear is a liar. Anxiety is a thief. We must learn to go into the refuge room of the presence of God, shut the door, lay down our weakness, and rise up in God's strength. So how do we do this? Remember those eight words?
“Be still, and know that I am God;"
Those words aren't telling you something to do, though. They are doing the thing. The words are meant to lead you into the room. Here's my guidance on how to let the words do their work:
Therefore. Open the door. Whenever you are facing trouble and feeling fear and anxiety, you must trigger a shift. Try a count down, saying or whispering aloud: 3-2-1-
Become conscious of your breathing. Inhale to a two count: 1-2. Exhale to a two count: 3-4. Inhale to a two count: 5-6. Exhale to a two count: 7-8.
The eight words of this verse will form two full breaths.
Inhale deeply and slowly while whispering, "Be Still" (1-2). Exhale deeply and slowly while whispering, "And Know" (3-4). Inhale while whispering, "That I" (5-6). Exhale while whispering, "Am God" (7-8).
Repeat this at least four times and eight if possible. Allow these breath-filled words to consume all of your attention.
Now, one more element. Notice the rest of v.10:
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
At the end of the series of multiple repetitions, begin to say repeatedly with each inhale and exhale: I exalt you. I exalt you. I exalt you. I exalt you.
This is how a word can work. Breath is life. The Word of God is God-breathed. As the Word of God becomes our breath it infuses us with his life. Notice how the eight words are each one syllable and how they unfold in the poetic meter known as iambic pentameter—which mirrors the way a heart beats.
We find ourselves becoming still without having tried to still ourselves. We find ourselves knowing God beyond knowledge, with the supernatural knowing of our bodies, beyond the cognitive knowledge of the intellect. And though the trouble may persist, we find ourselves freed from fear and anxiety.
3-2-1 . . .
Be Still
And Know
That I
Am God
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
For God is most highly exalted when he is most deeply loved. Perhaps this is why the greatest commandment is to love God with all that we are.
THE PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Lord Jesus—Word of God from before the beginning—our Great Teacher,
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.
I have tried to be still and know that you are God. I know what the words mean but I lack the deep knowing of their truth. I am tired of trying. I am ready to let your word do the heavy lifting. Be-Still-And-Know-That-Am-I-Am-God. I exalt you. I love you. I am yours. You are mine.
It will be for your glory, for others' gain, and for my good.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
