Psalm 46:10 — Be Still and Know

To be still perhaps ranks as my least favorite and most difficult of God’s commands. Stillness remains absent from my genetic makeup. I don’t think I’m alone. Maybe at some level, we all resist the essential quality of stillness before God. Before and with God is critical the key. Far from idleness, stillness contains divine intention and purpose.

Many of us, through our frantic efforts, exhibit more than a few frayed edges. We continuously multi-task and intensively goal set for a multitude of reasons. We are far too busy to notice, however. Fortunately, other people see through our fast-paced, dust-stirring activity and help bring us to a halt — if even for a few moments — to consider our frazzled behavior. For these people, I am thankful.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
Psalm 46:10

Be Still, and Know

Stillness literally means to desist. I would far rather assist than desist. But neither God nor anyone else need assistance — least of all from me!

Stillness becomes possible through “knowing” that God is: that God is sovereign, that God loves us, that God always has our best in mind, and that all God does is good. The more we “know” Him and understand His ways, the more easily we desist from self-effort and striving. Rest flows out of this holy knowing. With and in Him, peace prevails over pursuing.

Oh, may we all receive God’s invitation to stop, lay down our busyness, and draw into a deeper knowing of Him.

• to know that regardless of circumstances or current events God is on His throne (Psalm 47:8)
• to know we can wait in stillness and trust in His faithfulness to all He has promised (Hebrews 10:23)
• to know that He possesses all power and authority (Matthew 28:18)
• to know His plans will be fulfilled in each of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11)
• to know that ultimately, He will be glorified among all nations. (Psalm 86:9)

Only when we become intentional will we be able to gain a quiet heart before Him — to be still and know Him more personally. The word still also means to sink in and relax. Now, isn’t that a welcome invitation? So rather than burden you with my rambling thoughts, may you be encouraged by His Word. May these timeless truths cause a confident hope to rise within you, replacing all angst to strive. or do. or be anything more than His desire for you.

Prayer

Lord, may we willingly abandon the stress of striving and welcome Your peace and rest. Renew and strengthen us, Lord, in the place of quiet trust. May Your Word settle deep within us, producing a gentle, sweet communion of fellowship with You.
For too long, we have struggled to conform to the patterns of world. For too long, we have accepted the standards of others. Forgive us, Lord. In this moment of quiet consideration, we turn to You, purposefully abandoning our former ways. Today, we place our confidence in Your goodness, learning to walk at the pace of Your grace.
With our whole being, we respond to Your invitation to put everything else aside. In quietness and trust, we embrace Your stillness, surrender to Your timing, and release every source of worry to You. Oh, Lord, how perfect is Your peace. How beautiful is Your design and plan for our lives. We step away from our frazzled efforts and wait patiently in Your Presence.
Speak Lord. Speak to our damaged hearts and wounded emotions, aligning and reforming us to Your flawless design. May we discover You more fully in the stillness of Your love.
Amen.