“I got your back.”
It’s a phrase that’s commonly exchanged between friends. A reminder that our friends will look out for us - especially in those areas and times where we’re unguarded, exposed, and vulnerable.
A popular phrase has emerged recently that applies to the one who looks out for us most - God. The phrase is “God’s got this.”
The phrase may be relatively new, however the idea is ancient. In the middle of the Bible, we find the book of Psalms. It is here that we encounter a simple sentence which talks to us about how we can know this God who's “got this.” Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world."
The Hebrew word that is translated “and” in the New Living Translation and many other translations means so much more than “and.” We use the word “And” to connect two phrases. But the Hebrew word can also be translated “in order that,” or “so that,” or “for the purpose of.”
And the phrase “be still” is a word picture. It connotes the idea that you unclench your fists, or you cease striving. Therefore, another way to translate the first part of Psalm 46:10 is “Cease striving, in order that you may know that I am God.”
If being most fully human means being passionate about God…
If God is interested in forming us into people who are like Him…
...then prayer becomes that place where we cease our striving.
Psalm 46:10 invites us to trade white-knuckle living for submission and rest. When we surrender and admit how small we are, the sons of Korah say we will experience God.
Many of us want to experience God in a real and powerful way. We want to know that God is God! We desire a moment with God like Moses had at the burning bush, when Moses encountered the one who is named “I AM.”
According to Psalm 46, that kind of encounter only happens when we surrender.
That’s the story of a church in Southern California. Inland Hills Church was planted by Dave Stoecklein in Chino, California. After leading the church for many years, Dave was diagnosed with leukemia in 2011. Dave’s family and church adopted the phrase “God’s Got This,” selling thousands of bracelets and believing God would heal their husband, father, friend, and pastor. In 2015, after a period of remission, the leukemia returned and Dave passed away.
Dave’s son, Andrew, took leadership of the church from his father and established a reputation for authenticity in the pulpit. He even shared about his battle with depression and mental health issues. Then, in August 2018, Andrew took his own life.
In the aftermath of these two heartbreaking losses, this church and family continue to claim two truths - “God’s Got This!” and “You are Not Alone.” Andrew’s widow, Kayla, has shown a remarkable faith, even in the face of such pain and adversity. If these people of God can claim this promise in their trials, then we can in our difficulty, too!
In the Gospels, Jesus invites his listeners to experience his renewal and strength. In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”Here’s the real challenge, though. We’ll never rest until we trust that God’s got this - whatever “this” is for us today. Rest is an act of faith. For some of us, rest is an act of bold and courageous faith.
If I can make a confession, I struggle at times to say, “God’s got this.” That struggle is evidenced by my lifelong battle to practice regular rest. My inability to rest often indicates an inability to trust. I know I’m not trusting that “God’s got this” because I work longer hours, stay up later, get up earlier, and do more because I feel like “I’ve got this.”
The same may be true for you. Your inability to rest may indicate your struggle to trust God.
“God’s got this” may sound trite and cliché. And for some, it might be. But, when we’re in the middle of a storm and we cease striving and surrender because we believe God’s got this, we experience much more than a trite cliché. We experience, we know that God is God.
If you want to experience God like that, then all you have to do is unclench your fists. God’s power and presence is on the other side of our surrender.
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani and they are the parents of three “little savages.” He is the creator of the Free to Forgive Course and you can read more of his writing at scottsavagelive.com.
