Being Still

Being Still

            Most of us are familiar with Psalm 46:10 that tells us to ‘be still and know that I am God.’ But most of us would admit that obeying this verse, actually being still in the midst of our frequently tumultuous lives, is very difficult for us. Thankfully, our Lord realizes how difficult this is for us to do. I am sure this is the reason the Bible is filled with reminders of just how important being still before God really is. And thankfully, He also tells us what to do in order to be successful. Most of our difficulty is not with external circumstances; the problem is within. Our thinking is wrong. Reading the entire psalm will help us focus on truth that will enable us to experience this calmness of heart and mind. For instance, ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble’ is a truth that should produce calmness of heart if we believe it! What trouble, no matter how large and seemingly impossible, is too big for God to handle?

            Consider some other truths in this psalm: ‘The Lord Almighty is with us; the God is Jacob is our fortress.’ ‘I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ ‘Be still and know….’ What we KNOW, what we believe, is what either gives us calmness or robs us of it.

            Perhaps the following expansion of some of the concepts in Psalm 46 will be helpful.

            

-       Be still and become more deeply and intimately acquainted with me.

-       Be still and recognize and understand the wonders of my person more strongly and more clearly.

-       Be still and know that I am the Great I AM. I am Who and What you need, always and forever.

-       Be still and know that you need never fear. I am your fortress and refuge. You are safe with me. Nothing is too difficult for me.

-       Be still and know that I am here with you and will always be.

-       Be still and know that I am in control of everything.

-       Be still and know that all will turn out well.

           

            Consider these references in the Bible that give us additional helpful instruction and information:

             Ex. 14:14  “The Lord will fight for you: you need only be still.”

            Ps. 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people           succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

            The conclusion to which I have come is this: (1) Being still is the will of God for us; (2) Being still is possible if I focus on the truth God’s word reveals; (3) NOT being still robs me of peace that I should be experiencing and is disobedience on my part; (4) Fretting, worrying, fear and anxiety are all evidence that I am focusing in the wrong places and on error instead of truth.

            Although the ‘norm’ for us humans is NOT stillness before God, it is something that can and should be there and WILL be there if we learn how to keep our minds focused on God.