God and the Warm Fuzzies

 

Misuse of Ps. 46:10

 


Introduction

You’ve heard the old phrase, “Take time to stop and smell the roses.” This means that in life, sometimes we get so busy with our day-to-day activity that we don’t stop and appreciate the little things in life. We take for granted the landscape that is before us. If we don’t stop, once in a while, and admire the beauty of God’s creation, we might miss these opportunities when they are no longer available.

In Psalm 46:10, the psalmist writes, Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (NKJV) Is this the same sentiment as “stop and smell the roses”? Let’s see in this article.

 

Out of Context

People today take this verse and use only the first part; Be still, and know that I am God, and plaster it all over things like mugs, T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc. It’s to give us the “warm fuzzy” feelings that God want us to remember Him in our busy day-to-day lives.

In other words, while we are living our lives, we should also take time to reading God’s word. While this is important; as most of us don’t spend time in God’s word, does this verse mean this very sentiment?

 

In Context

Once again, we need to look at passage that verse is a part of to get its true meaning. At only 11 verses, you can read the entire psalm and understand what God is really saying here. But, for the purposes of this article, we’ll look at verses 8-11:

Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the 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 refuge. Selah (NKJV)

Essentially, this psalm serves as a warning to the enemies of God’s people; as well as an encouragement to His own people. It is to say that God will fight for His people and all should be fearful who go up against the Israelites.

The prophet Amos traveled to Bethel to warn the Northern ten tribes in similar fashion all through chapter 4. Finally, in verse 12, the prophet declares, “Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” In other words, repent or suffer the wrath which is to come and the hands of Jehovah. Needless to say, they didn’t repent and thus were carried off into captivity and scattered throughout Assyria.

The prophet Ezekiel, during the Babylonian captivity of Judah, gave a similar warning throughout his book (67 verses), when he said, and you shall know that I am the LORD.

 

Conclusion

If you’re looking for encouragement for today, turn to Ephesians 1:22-23; in which the apostle Paul writes, And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.  

Another passage would be Romans 8:31-33 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Personally, I’d rather have Rom. 8:31 on a coffee mug or T-shirt as it shows confidence in the creator and the protector of His own people.

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