Be Still

Today, I just finished preparing for the first twelve weeks of the Community Bible Study class, for which I am its teaching director.  For the past 5 weeks, I have had plenty of time to do it, as I recover from two surgeries and a serious infection.  I have spent much time in bed or sitting on the lawn chair in the garden.  God has provided me ample time to study His word and prepare for the role He has called me to fill.  During these long hours of research, writing and reading the scriptures I got to spend more time with my Savior than ever before.  I used to think that “being still” before God meant I needed to “be quite” and listen for divine revelation.  This is true to some degree, but after reading and studying Psalm 46, I have an even deeper understanding of verse 10…”He says, be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.”

The word “still” in Hebrew is translated “rapa” which means: “Enough! It also means “let down, to drop”.  God is essentially telling His people to stop their frantic activity.  In context of the scripture, Israel is facing the challenges of war and the harsh environment of their surroundings.  God wants His people to stop what they are doing and look up to the Lord for help.  To God’s enemies, it means they are to put down their weapons and surrender. 

This command would be counter-cultural to our society today, which is always on the go, pursuing the American Dream.  We live in a society that values success and hard work.  We admire athletes, celebrities and billionaires, who have made it to the top.  But this doesn’t quite fit into the gospel, does it?

Being still before God is a practice that gives us our identity as a child of God.  Jesus was our role model.  He not only showed us how to run to God for help, but He showed us how to humble ourselves before the throne of God.  Throughout His ministry, Jesus would often retreat from the crowds to pray and be still before His Heavenly Father.  It is because of Christ’s ministry and His death and resurrection that we too may come before the throne of God and live with Him forever in His Kingdom.  Through faith, we know this to be true.  We understand who God is through His scriptures with the help of the Holy Spirit.  This means we must make the time to read the scriptures to better know God.  We must drop to our knees in humble prayer before His throne of Grace.  We seek to live a life of holiness because we serve a Holy God.  We must be vigilant and watchful as we “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12) in order that we may see the goodness of God working in our lives.  We must not take a cavalier attitude towards our salvation.  We must keep watch over each other’s souls and guard each other from sin.   Finally, when life gets crazy, just remember Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble.”  We must be still and know God, if we are to live a life that gives Him glory...So, keep looking up!

Enjoy one of my favorite hymns:   "Be Still, My Soul” (1752, Katharina von Schlegel)