Psalm 46

Speechless; Steven Curtis Chapman

A few days after September 11, 2001, the House of Representatives and the Senate convened in the Capitol Rotunda to hold a memorial service. One who was asked to speak was then Senate Chaplain Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie.

We all remember our own personal reactions to the events of that horrendous day and the days that followed. I recall that I lacked peace of mind and expected more apocalyptic incidences to invade the news. My optimism has always had arms long enough to reach and grab a hold of reality when necessary. But my optimism fell into a coma on that day and I couldn't get it to wake up .

The chaplain has a commanding voice. It at once convinces, assures, soothes, eases, heartens, revives and, believe it or not, even smiles. If God had held Dr. Ogilvie in reserve for one moment in all of history, this is where I would guess that he would have placed him: on television screens across a nation paralyzed with grief, armed with Psalm 46.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof…

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

Be still and know that I am God…

That’s when I woke up. To stillness. To peace of mind. To a realization that I had allowed doubt, trouble and mistrust to preside over my soul’s penchant for the Lord’s tranquility and serenity.

…I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Dr. Ogilvie left the speaking platform smiling but without comment, confident that the Psalmist required no assistance - short of a voice.

Steven Curtis Chapman recorded “Speechless” in 1999, two years before I needed it. I was glad I had it. The title song is number two in the lineup. And the album concludes with “Be Still And Know”. “With Hope” was written for a family who lost a child, and the song was later sung in honor of the victims of the Heath High School shooting on December 1, 1997. Heath High School is Mr. Chapman’s alma mater. Many consider this album Mr. Chapman’s greatest work and is recognized by many as one of the finest Christian albums of all time.

It almost seems that, with these songs, comfort was Mr. Chapman's overall intent here. And yet, there are lighter songs, too, like reminders that the morning of September 11, 2001, was beautiful with lots of sunshine. And that God didn't bring about the day so that monsters could wreak havoc with his children.

Sons and daughters were born on September 11, 2001. On a day where buildings turned to cinders and airplanes fell from the sky, the God who breathed all of creation into existence saw the normal, run-of-the-mill, miraculous advancing of his kingdom. For such a God, when He tells me to be still, I can be still.

Credits: To Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, Peter Marshall and a full slate of House and Senate Chaplains, who tend to the overwhelming spiritual needs of Congressmen and Senators in a country that desperately resists, yet desperately needs, Christian spiritual help.