“Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
PSALM 46:10 (CSB)

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The words translated here as “Stop fighting” can reliably be translated alternately as “Let go” and “Relax.” The New International Version and New Living Translation both interpret them this way: “Be still.”

The Message pulls verses 8-10 into a paragraph and paraphrases it with beauty and strength.

Yes. A thousand times yes. And so much more!

Don’t miss the tagline in verse 11:

He who wrestles with us as long as we will wrestle with him, and he who wounds us so that we cannot rely on our own strength is our rock, our refuge, our hiding place. His severe mercy is kinder than our kindness. His well-placed wounds are stronger than our unbroken bones.

Reading the books of Kings and Chronicles the last few weeks interspersed with the appropriate prophets and psalms has been an emotional challenge. I suddenly find myself with more time to read the news and to pay attention to political shenanigans at home and abroad. The news is almost universally bad. Echoes of sinful seasons from the past reverberate through the trickling internet.

Truth be told, the piece in this space from yesterday began two days ago. I had to lay it aside because the message was so dour.

May I recommend a book? Art + Faith by Makoto Fujimura is the antidote for today’s news we all need. This is theology so rich and pure you can only consume so much at one time. This is art so altogether lovely that you will want to gaze upon it endlessly as our brokenness is repaired and renewed and reflects such beauty as it could not have contained before.

I will focus less on the lying lips of politicians and pundits.

I will listen less to the distressing patter of endless talk shaped only by agenda in place of substance.

I will lay aside concern about everyone else’s world-shaking agendas. 

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I will step out of the traffic and take a long look at our Father in heaven, high above politics and problems.

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Our Father, fill my vision with nothing but your glory. Remove every distraction. It is you I need to see, need to know, need to experience. I am still. I have stopped fighting. I have let go. I have relaxed. Whatever you want is what I want, too. Thank you for wounds that make me lie down and provide reflection and restoration. Amen.