Thanks to God and the NPAC family, I have been given time for both my annual leave and sabbatical and study leave. This weekend, my father and I will fly to Rome in preparation for co-teaching some classes at a Chinese theological seminary.

      Last week, I shared this upcoming trip during the family news time at worship. After the service, some brothers and sisters reminded me to get some good rest. That word “rest” brought Psalm 46:10a to my mind: “Be still, and know that I am God.” According to the statistics of an online Bible website in 2024, this is one of the top 100 most-viewed verses. It is often printed on cards or quoted in articles encouraging believers not to overwork. You may have used it yourself to remind a tired friend in Christ: “Be still (Get some rest)!”

      But the “still” in Psalm 46:10a does not really mean sleep or vacation. The original Hebrew carries the sense of “stop,” “relax clenched fists,” or “put down your weapons.” The Worldwide Chinese Bible puts it this way: 「你們要停下來，要知道我是神」(“Stop awhile, and know that I am God.”)

       In the first part of Psalm 46, the psalmist describes earth giving way, mountains crumbling into the sea, waters roaring, and mountains quaking. It paints a picture of natural disasters. This is to show that in the midst of tribulations, God’s people can still declare: “We will not fear” (v.2), because “God is our refuge” (v.1).

      Later in the psalm, the psalmist turns to depict a war scene (v.9). Of all human disasters, war is among the most merciless and devastating. The psalmist calls the world to witness how “the Lord Almighty” makes all wars — both near and far – cease. The earth is full of desolations (v.8): shattered weapons and burned military gear are everywhere. There is no more noise of strife and killing. It is after this that the psalmist writes down these words of God’s: “Be still.”

       It is possible that God’s message here is directed at enemy nations rising up against His people. He urges the nations to know that He is Lord of all the earth (v.10b). They should therefore “be still,” stop the attacks, and, in doing so, exalt Him.

      Today, wars and unrest continue to erupt across the world. Recently, new armed conflicts have broken out in South Asia, prompting us to urgently pray to the Lord of all the earth to “make wars cease to the ends of the earth.” May the nations that love to fight and use force “be still,” so that the earth may once again be at peace.

      However, it is also possible that the same message is addressed to God’s own people. He calls them to “stop, relax clenched fists, and put down their weapons.” He is telling them not to rely on their own strength or human efforts for victory, for these have never been man’s ultimate security. So man must “be still” and rely wholly upon God.

      It has been seven years since I became Senior Pastor Designate and then served as Senior Pastor. Lately, I have felt as though my battery has only one bar left. It is time to “be still” and recharge. In the months ahead, I will have opportunities to serve beyond our church, as well as time for study and rest. I truly believe the Lord Almighty will continue to watch over the NPAC family, for He alone is our Mighty Fortress (v.1).