Did You Know “Be Still and Know That I Am God” Refers to Judgment?

Summary

Grace in Focus – Episode Summary

Episode: Did You Know “Be Still and Know That I Am God” Refers to Judgment?
Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Bob Wilkin
Guest: Philippe Sterling

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Episode Overview

This episode of Grace in Focus tackles the often-misunderstood biblical passages “Be still and know that I am God” from Psalm 46:10 and “Let the weak say, I am strong” from Joel 3:10. Bob Wilkin and Philippe Sterling clarify the original context of these verses, demonstrating that, contrary to popular usage in contemplative spirituality and worship music, the passages relate to divine judgment, eschatology, and the second coming of Christ—not to personal spiritual tranquility or empowerment.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Misuse of “Be Still and Know That I Am God”

• Contemplative Spirituality’s Interpretation ([01:24]-[02:08]):

  • Bob and Philippe discuss how Psalm 46:10 is widely used by mystics and proponents of contemplative spirituality for “centering prayers” and silent retreats, encouraging participants to enter an “alternate reality” to feel God’s presence.
  • Bob shares a humorous story about the futility of silent retreats, suggesting that silence in itself does not produce true spirituality.

• Original Context of Psalm 46 ([03:42]-[04:42]):

  • Philippe: Psalm 46 centers on God as Israel’s refuge in a time when nations rise against her.

    “In its context, it's about God being a refuge, a strength for the nation of Israel... Ultimately it talks about the fact that the Lord will come back and he will make wars to cease to the end of the earth...” (03:42)

  • The passage is Messianic, prophesying the second coming and millennial kingdom, when God subdues the nations.
  • “Be still and know that I am God” is a call to the rebellious nations to acknowledge His sovereignty, end their opposition, and submit.

• Implications for Interpretation ([04:54]-[06:30]):

  • The phrase “Be still” is directed at the nations opposing God, not to Israel.

    “It's basically saying to all the nations of the world, go ahead and send all the armies you want. You're going to see that I'm God.” – Bob (05:20)

  • The “stillness” is the cessation of resistance—a command to lay down arms and recognize God as supreme.
  • A secondary application: those who submit/believe have the chance for eternal life, tying the verse to a call for faith and repentance, not mystical introspection.

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2. “Let the Weak Say I Am Strong”: Context and Contrast

• Common Misunderstanding in Worship ([07:40]-[08:29]):

  • Bob notes, “Let the weak say I am strong” is frequently used in worship songs to encourage believers to claim strength in the Lord.
  • However, its scriptural source (Joel 3:10) is often overlooked.

• Context in Joel 3:10 ([08:29]-[09:19]):

  • Philippe explains:

    “It's the nations that are preparing to go against Israel to oppose Christ at the Second Coming... Let the weak say I am strong is addressing the nations who are in opposition to put up their dukes... and I'm going to show you.” (08:29)

  • The phrase is a taunt from God to the rebellious nations, challenging them to prepare for a futile war against Him.

• Contrast With Isaiah 2:4 ([09:19]-[10:41]):

  • Bob and Philippe point out that Joel 3:10 calls for beating plowshares into swords (instruments of war), whereas Isaiah 2:4 prophesies the opposite:

    “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” – Philippe (10:24)

  • The Joel passage concerns the buildup to Armageddon; Isaiah, the peace following Christ’s victory.

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3. Eschatological and Practical Implications

• The True Source of Justice and Peace ([11:10]-[11:49]):

  • Bob stresses that political attempts at achieving justice and peace fall short without Christ:

    “We all should know that we're not going to find the true kingdom until Christ comes. We're not going to really get what we want until Christ comes. That's why we should be saying come quickly, Lord Jesus.” (11:10)

• Takeaways for the Audience ([11:49]-[12:35]):

  • The hosts encourage listeners to interpret these scriptures in their prophetic context, not as prescriptions for personal spiritual practices or affirmations.
  • Both passages are directly related to the events of the Tribulation and the Second Coming, featuring God’s triumph over human rebellion.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Psalm 46:10’s Context:

  "Be still and know that I am God is not a contemplative verse at all. It's basically saying to all the nations of the world, go ahead and send all the armies you want. You're going to see that I'm God." — Bob Wilkin, [05:20]

• On Joel 3:10:

  “Let the weak say I am strong is addressing the nations who are in opposition... come and do your best against me, and I'm going to show you.” — Philippe Sterling, [08:29]

• Eschatological Hope:

  “We all should know that we're not going to find the true kingdom until Christ comes... That's why we should be saying come quickly, Lord Jesus.” — Bob Wilkin, [11:10]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:24 – 02:08]: The misuse of Psalm 46:10 in contemplative spirituality.
• [03:42 – 04:42]: The actual context of Psalm 46 (God as refuge; prophecy of His future victory).
• [04:51 – 06:30]: Who “Be still” addresses, and the call to repentance and faith.
• [07:40 – 09:19]: “Let the weak say I am strong”—not encouragement for believers, but a taunt to rebellious nations.
• [09:19 – 10:41]: Contrast of Joel 3:10 and Isaiah 2:4; agricultural tools for war and for peace.
• [11:10 – 11:49]: Why true peace and justice await Christ’s return.

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Conclusion

Instead of promoting personal inner silence or empowerment, these well-known verses (Psalm 46:10; Joel 3:10) powerfully depict God’s victory over rebellious nations and His coming kingdom. Wilkin and Sterling urge listeners to recognize the eschatological meaning and not to co-opt these verses into contemplative or motivational themes. Their discussion emphasizes a clear distinction between justification, sanctification, and the prophetic plan of God.

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Transcript

[A]

The following is a listener supported ministry from the Grace Evangelical Society. One of the favorite verses in Psalms and most comforting as we understand it, is be still and know that I am God. But are we understanding it correctly? What if it really has to do with judgment? You may be surprised as we talk about the real meaning of that verse today on Grace in Focus. Thank you for joining us. This is the podcast and radio broadcast ministry of the Grace Evangelical society. Our website, faithalone.org you will find our bookstore there and a number of books. Bob Wilkins most recent book, the Gospel is still under siege. You can also find out about our online seminary. You can earn an M. Div. Degree free if you maintain a 3.0 average. It's [e-mail] now with today's discussion, here is Bob Wilkin along with Philippe Sterling.

[B]

Phillipe We've been talking about the second coming of Christ and I thought it might be interesting to discuss some expressions that are much misunderstood. For example, one of them is be still and know that I am God. And that's from what, Psalm 46?

[C]

Yeah, that's Psalm 46, verse 10.

[B]

Okay, before we look at it, you're very much a student of what's called contemplative spirituality and you're like me, very concerned about it and see that as a dangerous sort of practice. But isn't this a verse that's used a lot by people within contemplative?

[C]

Yeah, that one small portion of Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God is one of the key verses that mystics of the ages have used in terms of centering prayers, you know, stilling the mind so that you can go into an basically an alternate reality and sense the presence of God, you know, with you and be in communion with you.

[B]

Right? And that is also where we get a lot of people use this for silent retreats. You know the old joke, by the way, don't you, about silent retreats? Well, kind of. It's about the monk that was a novitiate. He was on a 21 year novitiate and after seven years he had a vow of silence. So he hadn't said a word for seven years. And so he meets with the abbot and he says, well, you get two words. What would you like to say, my son? And he said, bed hard. And he says, okay, thank you my son. Go back for seven more years. So he goes and he works for seven more years and then he meets with the abbot again and he says, okay, my son, you have two more Words. What would you like to say? And he says, food, cold. He says, okay, my son, go back and work. So he works seven more years, and then he comes to meet with the abbot, and they're going to make him a full fledged monk. And he says, okay, my son, you have two more words. And he says, I quit. And do you know what the abbot said at that point?

[C]

What did the abbot say?

[B]

He said, well, it doesn't surprise me at all because you've done nothing but complain ever since you got here. Okay. You know, but the sad thing about silent retreats and silence and everything else is people have mistakenly thought that that would somehow produce spirituality. And one of their key verses is a verse that says nothing about what they're talking about. What does Psalm 46 talk about in its conte.

[C]

Well, in its context, it's about God being a refuge, a strength for the nation of Israel. The Lord is with them, and yet the nations are against them. And ultimately it talks about the fact that the Lord will come back and he will make wars to cease to the end of the earth. He will break the bow and cut the spear in two. This is the second coming in the millennial kingdom.

[B]

It all fits in what we're talking about.

[C]

Yeah, it all fits with the second coming of Christ and the establishment of the kingdom. And then in that he addresses Israel and the nations and saying, be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. So it's a Messianic psalm concerning the coming of the Lord to establish his kingdom and call to the people of the nations to acknowledge him and to cease fighting against him.

[B]

Would you say then that, be still, that I am God is directed to Israel or to these nations that are opposing God?

[C]

I think it's to the nations that are opposing God.

[B]

Based on. Look at verse 9. He makes war cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two. He burns the chariot in the fire. And so he's ending war. Yes, well, that occurs at the end of the great tribulation.

[C]

Right. That's in keeping with Isaiah, too. Chapter two says, they will beat their swords into plowshares.

[B]

All right, we'll get there in a second because I want to go to another expression. So be still and know that I am God is not a contemplative verse at all. It's basically saying to all the nations of the world, go ahead and send all the armies you want. You're going to see that I'm God.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

And ultimately what they should do is put down their arms. Would this be still be telling them to basically don't resist, or would this be saying what does it mean for the Gentile armies?

[C]

God does call the nations to submit to Christ.

[B]

So he's giving them an offer here.

[C]

Yes, if they will submit to him and acknowledge him, those who do, those who believed and those who submit to him will be.

[B]

So if they're believers, they would have eternal life. Yes. And ideally this be still would be a step toward, well then putting down their arms, but also a step toward believing in the Messiah. Because why would you be still unless they were convinced that the Messiah indeed is God and that the Messiah indeed gives eternal life to those who believe in him.

[C]

Yes. And that's part of the reasons for some of the tribulation judgments are to bring people to repentance and also to believe in him for everlasting life.

[B]

Yes. Now Revelation 9 and Revelation 16 both say that the people did not repent of their evil deeds, but they were given the opportunity to repent. And if they had, the judgments would have lessened and they would have been more likely to come to faith. Assuming they haven't taken the mark of the beast yet.

[A]

Did you know that the Grace Evangelical Society offers an M. Div. Degree through our online seminary and tuition is free to those who maintain a 3.0 grade average. It is a three year degree program and you could submit your application now to gain acceptance. Then stay apprised of our registration periods for upcoming semester terms. Program and application details can be [e-mail] have a look at our MDIV degree. Become an approved workman. Find out how gesseminary.org well, let's go.

[B]

To a related expression. This past Sunday at church, we sang a song at your church and you remember the chorus that goes, let the weak say I am strong. Right?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Whenever I've been in Bible churches that sing that song, people think what it means is something like, okay, I may be a believer that thinks woe is me, but I'm really strong in the Lord, Right. So let the weak say I'm strong. You know, I'm really in the Lord, the Spirit of God lives within me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13. That's kind of how they interpret this idea. Let the weak say I'm strong. Yes, but where does that come from?

[C]

It comes out of the book of Joel. Joel 3:10 goes, Beat your Plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, I am strong. And in verse 11, assemble and come all you nations and gather together all around. Cause your mighty ones to go down there, O Lord. So it's the nations that are preparing to go against Israel to oppose Christ at the Second Coming. And so the Lord, in essence is saying, if you're going to rebel against me and oppose me, well, then, in essence, prepare yourself for war, for battle. Let the weak say I'm strong is addressing the nations who are in opposition to put up their dukes. You know, just to come and do your best against me, and I'm going to show you.

[B]

So this isn't directed toward believers saying, I am strong. It's directed to unbelieving armies to say, go ahead, put your best, make my day, like Dirty Harry would say, or put up your dukes. Right, let's fight. Because, well, we don't sing, beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say I am strong. We don't sing the first part of that because it wouldn't fit with the song. But what's interesting about this Joel 3. 10 verse, it's the polar opposite of what we see at the United Nations. Don't they have Isaiah 2. 4 on a plaque at the United Nations?

[C]

Yes, I think it's on a plaque that's there in entering.

[B]

And what does Isaiah 4 say? Because it's the opposite of saying, beat your plowshares into swords, beat your pruning hooks into spears. In other words, you're making weapons of war. Now, in Isaiah 2. 4, it says, Take your weapons of war and make them implements for agriculture.

[C]

Yes, says he shall judge between the nations and rebuke many people. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

[B]

So even though in Joel 3. 10 it tells them to take their agricultural implements and turn them into weapons of war to the Gentiles, that's during the Tribulation. Essentially, the polar opposite occurs after the tribulation, they're going to now take those things and turn them back into implements for agriculture and for good.

[C]

Yeah. So the Prince of Peace then, will establish the peaceable kingdom for the millennial period.

[B]

Politicians today are looking to establish justice and righteousness and peace on earth. And the truth is, for the most part, they reject the one who can give that and will give that. And we're not going to find it. You know, I don't care if you're a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent. We all should know that we're not going to find the true kingdom until Christ comes. We're not going to really get what we want until Christ comes. That's why we should be saying come quickly, Lord Jesus. Right?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

So I would just encourage all of you to realize, be still and know that I am God is not a contemplative verse. It's inviting the Gentile armies to recognize that God is in control. This is during the tribulation and he is going to be victorious and they should ultimately come to faith. And the part about let the weak say I am strong, that's also a tribulation verse dealing with God telling the armies to come on, the fight's about to begin. Let's join in battle. Alright, well, thanks so much for leaving. Thank you all and let's keep grace in focus.

[A]

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[C]

The proceeding has been a listener supported.

[A]

Ministry from the Grace Evangelical Society.