Be Still, Verse 2

Writing about the verses of “Be Still, My Soul” leads to me think of more hymns that tell of the glorious truth of God’s providence and sovereignty in guiding us along in life. I couldn’t resist posting the words to this great German hymn:

If You Will Only Let God Guide You
Words and music by Georg Neumark

If you will only let God guide you,
And hope in Him through all your ways,
Whatever comes, He’ll stand beside you,
To bear you through the evil days;
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
Builds on the Rock that cannot move.

Only be still, and wait His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whatever the Father’s pleasure
And all discerning love have sent;
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him Who chose us for His own.

Sing, pray, and swerve not from His ways,
But do your part in conscience true;
Trust His rich promises of grace,
So shall they be fulfilled in you;
God hears the call of those in need,
The souls that trust in Him indeed.

But now, back to Be Still, My Soul! I love how this verse ends: we can be still because the waves and winds know His voice – He ruled them even while He was here on earth.

When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Matthew 8:23-27

God certainly has the power to calm the seas – the literal ones, and the stormy seas of our lives. However, He may not choose to do that. I am reminded of the song by Scott Krippayne sung by Steven Curtis Chapman:

Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child

The second verse of Be Still reminds us that God is in charge: that he has brought us thus far, and will continue to guide the future. When we are steadfast in Him, we will one day look back and see how His work unfolded in our lives.

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

Verse 2:
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.