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

I keep thinking about this verse in light of all that’s going on in the world. All you have to do is to look at the headlines to see that violence and hatred seem to have full sway. All you have to do is look at social media to see that hostility and intolerance (that are not limited to one end of the political spectrum) are still alive and well.

But God says to us tonight, “Stop your fighting.”

The traditional translation of this verse says, “Be still.” I’ve also seen it rendered as “Cease striving.” I saw one just now that said, “Desist.”

Any of those will work. The idea is that once I recognize that God is supreme and sovereign, I understand that it’s no longer up to me. I can let go of anxiety and fear and embrace surrender to the God who’s already defeated every kind of hostility through Jesus on the cross.

I can still speak out against injustices and violence, but I also can trust in the God who will make all things right. I can do my part to make my world a better place to live, knowing that God still works all things together for good.

Stop your fighting. Cease Striving. Desist. Be still and know that God is still in control.