As I write these words there are several images clearly in my mind.  One is of the awful, awesome destruction, death, and injuries in the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City.  It is a staggering picture of an evil thing done by morally bankrupt men.  In the aftermath of that event, many have commented on how defenseless they feel.  They now realize they are not safe anywhere.

     The other image is of the current radar which the stations keep updating.  It shows violent storms sweeping down on us, wreaking havoc as they come.  I have watched such storms before.  Sometimes they have reached us with full fury.  In November one hit right here at the house, damaging at least thirty of our trees, fifteen of them severely, and completely knocking down four.  I felt defenseless.  There was nothing I could do to stop the storm.

     In times such as these, when we feel helpless, we often rush around trying to do something.  Anything that might help.  But nothing does.  It is then that the words of my text are appropriate.  "Be still, and know that I am God."

     Against the backdrop of possible natural disasters and man-made violence, the psalmist said, "Therefore will not we fear." (vs.2).  The reason he said he wouldn't fear is because "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (vs.1).

     But how did he come to that conviction?  How did he get that settled assurance that God will take care of us, even when bad things happen?  I think the key is in my text.  The word translated "be still" does not mean stop running from place to place, as most folks seem to think.  It means "let go" or "relax" (as in "relax your grip").

     We try to micro-manage life.  But things keep happening which we can't control, so we struggle to get on top of things.  But God says, "Relax your grip.  Let go."  It's a matter of trust.  Is He really God?  Is He really able?  Does He really love us?  Can He be trusted?  Faith answers with a resounding "yes" to each of those questions.

     Since God IS our refuge and strength, we can be still (let go, relax our grip) and know (in our personal experience) that He IS God.  And that He can be trusted to always act for our good and His glory.

     "Therefore will not we fear."