"Be Still and Know That I am God"

by Rev. C. David Underwood

Psalm 46

Sermon Notes from 31 December 2000

It doesn't matter if the world is falling apart - God is still in control (v2). Be still - This is comfort to God's people & warning to God's enemies.

1. We Need to Surrender. Stop doing something and start doing nothing. Give up control. Get out of the way and let God be God. Example: We don't like to ride when someone else drives since they are in control of the car. We think that no one drives as well as I do.

2. We Need to Trust in God. We know things through our senses and through past experience. We see God in nature. We will never fully understand God. Don't wait until we fully understand God before we trust him. Sometimes we think we understand God and put him into a "box". If he acts differently than our expectations, we don't think it is he who is acting. We must trust God, regardless of our understanding. Example: Did Moses plan out all the logistics required to lead Israel out of Egypt? No. But God took care of them.

3. We Need to Learn the Value of Resting in God.
   • We need to rest from worry. Example: A child travels in peace because he knows his father is in control.

   • We need to rest from works earning salvation and religious performing.