“Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:8-11

Our world is marred by unrest. We’ve seen it in the Rohingya's suffering in Myanmar, the brutal violence faced by Afghan people fleeing the Taliban, the relentless persecution faced by people under regimes like Hamas, and the devastation left by conflict in Ukraine. These heartbreaking events seem relentless. As believers, it’s easy to feel helpless and overwhelmed by the global scale of suffering and injustice. However, in these dark and tumultuous times, Psalm 46 reminds us of God’s sovereignty.

In this passage, God invites us to come and see. He reminds us of His power over chaos, violence, and destruction. He is not indifferent to the cries of the oppressed; He is actively working to bring justice and peace. “He makes wars cease,” and while this may seem distant or impossible in the current state of the world, His plan is sure.

A Call to Be Still
In verse 10, God speaks a simple but transformative command: “Be still, and know that I am God.” When everything around us feels out of control, when we see so much suffering, we are told to be still, not in inactivity, but in surrender. This stillness is a posture of trust, reminding us that we do not bear the burden of fixing the world ourselves. It is a moment of quieting our hearts and acknowledging that God is God, and His plans will prevail, no matter how chaotic the world may seem.

The stillness God calls us to isn’t a passive retreat from the world’s problems but rather a deep, active confidence in His ability to work. In our stillness, we affirm that He is the one who will be exalted among the nations. He is the one who will break the bow and shatter the spear. His glory will be seen in all the earth.

Action Through Stillness
But what does this stillness mean for us personally? In times of global persecution and conflict, God may be calling us to action through our stillness. This may seem contradictory, but true stillness before God often leads us into His mission. As we rest in His sovereignty, He stirs our hearts to act in ways that align with His desire to be exalted among the nations.

God invites us to consider: How will He use us during these difficult times? Will we pray more fervently for the persecuted? Will we give our resources to help refugees? Will we open our homes to those displaced by war? Will we step into cross-cultural ministry, serving those whose lives have been shattered? Stillness before God doesn’t numb us to the pain of the world but equips us to be part of His solution.

Guided Prayer

• Pray for the Persecuted – Ask God to protect those facing persecution, especially the Rohingya, Afghans, and others suffering under oppressive regimes. Pray that they would experience the peace and justice that only He can bring.
• Trust in His Sovereignty – In your stillness, remind yourself that God is in control. Rest in His promise to make wars cease and to be exalted among the nations, even when the world feels out of control.
• Ask for Personal Guidance – Ask God how He might be calling you to serve during this time of global conflict. Seek His guidance on how you can be an agent of His peace and love to those who are suffering.

God's desire is to be exalted among the nations, and He has chosen to use His people to make this happen. How will you be part of His plan? Perhaps it starts with prayer, with being still before Him and listening. Perhaps it leads to taking a bold step toward serving the displaced and the persecuted in your community. Whatever He asks, remember that He is your fortress, your strength. He will equip you to be part of His mission.

As we quiet our hearts in stillness before God, we ask: Lord, how will you use me to further Your kingdom among the nations? Be still, and listen for His answer.