Be Still and Know

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Editor’s Note:  Scott and Sherry Jennings are the managing editors of the website “Intentionally Yours”.  You can find it at www.intentionallyyours.org.  We thank them for this teaching.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. —  Psalm 46:10

What if, in the midst of whatever size storm you are in, God is calling you to pause, be still and know He is God?

In my prayer time back in 2004, just after I learned of my husband’s adultery, there were so many opportunities to make rash decisions. In many of our conversations, it seemed the easy and culturally acceptable course of action would be to say “I’m done” and file for divorce. I thank God for the women in my life who encouraged me with Psalm 46:10.

Be still and know that I am God… -Psalm 46:10

It’s half of one verse that stopped me in my tracks. In my prayer time, God showed me that He wanted me to pause and be still for so many reasons.

Why be still?

TO REST: You live in a spiritual battle every minute of every day, whether you consciously decide to engage in it or not. Being in a battle is work, as you know. You know better than anyone that it involves strapping on armor—and in spiritual battle it involves putting on the armor of God daily, steeping in His Word, and being a prayer warrior. An important part of the spiritual battle is rest. To rest is to be calm, to cease striving, to relax, to not exert yourself, to be without anxiety and leave matters with God. God knows you need it. In Genesis He even chose to rest—to show you that you need to rest. What better place to rest than in the sovereignty of the One who created you and holds your future?

TO WAIT: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14) Waiting is difficult, particularly in this fast-paced, get-it-done-now world. But God wants you to wait on Him, He has so many things He wants to do in you as you wait. He wants to build, shape, strengthen, fill, prepare, encourage you . . . and so much more. Know that as you wait on Him, He is moving heaven and earth on your behalf—for your good and His glory. As you wait, wait with expectation and anticipation of what He is doing. Remember, what you see or feel is NOT necessarily an indication of what God is doing!  This music, used mightily in the movie “Fireproof”, is a strong call to wait—on the Lord:

TO KNOW: And know that I am God. To know means to understand, have informed experience, fathom, feel certain, grasp, realize, appreciate, comprehend. God wants you to be still so you truly see Him and His hand, to give you a unique awareness of who He is and what He is doing. He’s saying “Take a moment, look at your life through My eyes. See in the things I have done the evidence that I am God. Know, understand the work being accomplished which none “but” God could effect.”

As you be still and know He is God . . . as you pause to rest, wait and know . . . you will learn to trust Him and His Word. Draw nearer to Him and seek His Word for whatever situation you are facing. When you take time to be still and know instead of responding immediately, you give God time and opportunity to shape you and those around you. While you are being still, pray for those around you to be still, too!

The second part of Psalm 46:10 is “I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!” God WILL be exalted in your life, your marriage, your parenting, your relationships, your deployment, your career, your ministry…every aspect of your life. Don’t act rashly, let God shape you for His purpose, so that He will be exalted in all areas of your life!

When was the last time you chose to be still and know?

Questions to Share:

1. Is it natural for you to be still when you have been wronged?  Why or why not?

2. Is there a time you can remember when you wanted to react rashly—to lash out against someone—and yet you took time to spend with the Lord?  Share that time with each other.