Advent Devotion, December 20, 2014
Reading:  Psalm 46: 10-11
Written by:  Frank Raike

The command is to “be still”. 

From the Bible study with John J. Parsons, the word comes from the Hiphil stem of the verb “raphe” (meaning to be weak, to let go, to release), which might better be translated as, “cause yourselves to let go” or “let yourself become weak”.

But to what end are we to “be still,” “let go,” or “to surrender”?  In Hebrew grammar, the emphasis of coordinated imperatives (“be still” and “know”) is on the second imperative.  In other words, we surrender in order to know that God is in control.  We “let go” in order to know the saving grace of God in our lives.  We give up trusting in ourselves and our own selfishness in order to experience the glory of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 46 is often referenced as Martin Luther’s favorite psalm. He composed the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” in a rather free paraphrase of Psalm 46 on his journey to the Diet at Worms, where he went boldly to defend the Reformation at the risk of his life.  He let go and let God.  And we are here today.

At this Christmas Season with all the stress and challenges to be self-centered on our design ideas and concepts of what the Holidays should be, try to take the time to “be still and know that God is in control”.

 Oh Lord, we assign our lives with wishes, dreams, and expectations, only to find frustration and disappointment in others and ourselves.  Please Jesus, let us surrender to know that our lives are yours and you will always be with us.  Selah. Amen