Let Go and Know: Resting in God’s Sovereignty

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10 (ESV).  

When everything around us is chaotic, uncertain, unjust, and tumultuous—how is it possible to “be still?” 

Isn’t that an unrealistic expectation? Doesn’t it sound more like a comforting platitude than a practical directive? Could these words simply be a way to ease our suffering or to silence the discomfort of fear? Are we being told to give up—to stop doing anything to change our situation?  

Yet the Psalmist presents “being still” as not just valuable, but vital. Why?  

A Call to Stop Striving

At its core, this verse is a divine invitation to stop striving—to quiet our minds and hearts, and to trust God’s sovereignty. 

The longer I live, the more I’m faced with the truth that many things in life don’t make sense. They may not be fair, may not be what I prefer, and are often beyond my control. In those moments, I must choose: Whom will I trust? 

To “be still” is more than ceasing physical movement. It’s a deep, spiritual surrender. 

The Hebrew verb translated “be still” is רָפָה (rā·p̄ā(h)), which means “to cease, to let go, to become weak or to hang limp.” It’s often misunderstood as a call to quiet reverence. But it’s more than that—it’s a command to stop resisting, to drop our defenses, and release control. It’s an imperative, not a suggestion.^⁠1 

Why would God command us to let go? Because He knows that clinging to control or continuing to fight battles He has claimed as His own only drains us. What a gracious and merciful God—to free us from burdens we were never meant to carry. 

There comes a time when the best (and holiest) thing we can do is stop—stop fighting, stop striving, stop fixing. To “be still” is to lay down our weapons, make peace, and surrender to the One who fights for us.

Stillness Doesn’t Come Easily

Let’s be honest—being still is easier said than done.  

Fear, uncertainty, injustice, and turmoil continue to stir up anxiety and unrest. Even when I know that surrender is the best choice, my thoughts still race, trying to solve, resist, or control. That’s why God doesn’t just say “Be still.” He adds, “and know that I am God.”

Stillness is not passive resignation. It’s an intentional act of trust. It’s a conscious decision to recognize that God is God—and I am not. 

Knowing God is in Control

“…know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!” 

This is not only a statement of fact—it is a declaration of divine authority. God will be exalted. His purposes will prevail. He reigns over all the nations, all creation, and every circumstance. Whether we see His hand or not, He is present and active in our struggle.

To know that God is God means to acknowledge His sovereignty and submit to His will. It is faith. It is trust. It is hope.

“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” – Romans 8:24-25 (ESV)

I don’t know what you may be wrestling with right now. But this command—“Be still, and know that I am God”—is God’s invitation to stop striving and enter the peace He offers, even in your struggle. 

Reflection

• What burdens or battles am I still trying to carry on my own instead of surrendering to God?
• How might embracing “stillness” help me experience God’s presence more fully?
• In what ways does truly “knowing God is God” shift how I face fear, injustice, or uncertainty? 

¹ James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).