“Cut me some slack”.  This common phrase comes from docking ships and means “loosen the rope”.  If the rope is too tight, there is no room to relieve or readjust.  And leaving slack allows the boat to float with changing tides without having its balance upset.  The Hebrew for “be still” means to slacken one’s tight grip.  To “relax” or even “sink”. How can you do that?  By knowing God is always sovereignly protecting His people. 

Recently I had been thinking about how to minister to several members of our congregation because of what God is calling them to go through again which will surely tax their energy and emotions.  I had also been pondering what we are all going through in the present state of pandemic uncertainty.  So many seem so restless.  So anxious.  And so many Christians just seem so very agitated. 

Psalm 46:10 spoke to our souls: Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  We learn here that the way to have peace of heart and mind in this raging world is to know that God is on His throne.

While I sought the Lord’s guidance for the sermon on this text one early Sabbath morning, our youngest son stirred from his sleep.  Still learning to calm himself he was up and anxious.  I greeted him at his door during his “I’m mad at the world” toddler dance and led him to calmly repeat “Dadda” after me: he immediately settled down while we hugged. 

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