Tag Archives: serenity

Being Still, and Knowing

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He says, “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, NIV*

I came home from Write! Canada with snippets of two verses echoing in my spirit: “Seek Him first” and “Be still, and know that I am God”. [Isn’t that why everyone goes to a writing conference? To get closer to God?]

“Be still” called me this morning for devotions, because my tension was rising.

This quote from Psalm 46 is one of my long-time favourites, but I didn’t remember noticing the context: fear and danger, and how the Lord is a strong refuge and protection. It’s declaring “God is the biggest”.

For us today, as well as physical danger I think this “Be still” addresses our frenetic pace, anxiety, mental clutter. Even our scattered thoughts.

Be still. And know. That I am God.

For ourselves, and for those around us. My Bible has this note for Psalm 46:10:

…rest in the security of God’s will. Learn to live in this rest. In the calmness of spirit it will give, your soul will reflect, as in a mirror, the beauty of the Lord and the tumult of men’s lives will be calmed in your presence, as your tumults have been calmed in His presence.” (Hanna Whitall Smith, in God is Enough, taken from a quote in the NIV Women’s Devotional Bible, Zondervan, 1990)

I want to be a calming influence, grounded in Him. I think He wants to make me that way. Clearly, He’s not intimidated by big jobs. I’m glad. I’ve lived in mental turmoil and I’ve tasted His peace. Peace is better.

God who is our Good Shepherd, teach me to live at rest in Your will. Help me see and praise You for the gifts of Your hand. And help me be open to share your peace with those who need it. Your grace is undeserved and it gives us life.

∞

This isn’t a “be still” song in the quiet sense, but it stills my spirit before God as I look at who He is and what He’s done for me. Something brand new from Peter Furler (formerly of newsboys fame): “I’m Alive.”

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

A Quiet Life

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Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, NIV*

These verses have held my attention for the past few days, especially the ‘quiet life’ part. As Joanna Weaver says in Having a Mary Spirit, “In the natural, the quiet gene has little chance of swimming in my pool.” (p. 138)

But I don’t think this ‘quiet’ means ‘silent’ so much as ‘at peace, not striving’. At least that’s how the Holy Spirit is using this verse in my life. (It may also have something to do with toning down the general level of silliness, for the sake of my family members, but that’s another story.)

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Yes, God can get our attention dramatically if need be, but that seems more like Divine intervention than ongoing personal relationship. Scripture repeatedly calls us to be still, to abide with God, to shelter in His presence.

When life, even just our inner thought life, is crazy-busy, we can’t hear Him unless He shouts. When we rattle off prayer requests at machine-gun speed, same problem.

Father, please quiet my spirit to know that You are God and that You are here. Help me live in quiet trust in You, for my own sake and so that the people around me will see how You make a difference. Thank You for your mercies, new every morning.

∞

Rich Mullins left a legacy of some powerful songs. “Hold Me, Jesus,” quiets my spirit—may it bless you today.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Defended

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‘And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’
Zechariah 2:5, NIV*

God tells the prophet He will restore the city of Jerusalem. It won’t need protective walls, because God will be its surrounding wall and its glory within. What a picture of the loving relationship He wants to develop with each believer: His protection around us, His Spirit within.

Self-defence is prudent: don’t play in traffic, lock the doors at night, don’t pick up hitch-hikers. But defensiveness isn’t a healthy way to live.

A difficult person phones, or I meet conflict in a store or at church. I feel the walls go up. I’m in resistance mode. Defensive.

But God is the one guarding my way. Instead of scrambling and scrapping for control of my circumstances, I can pray, “You are my wall, my barrier. You are my glory within. Help me see what You’re doing and trust You. Help me cooperate with You.”

Sometimes in fighting the circumstances, I’ve been fighting God. Not smart. When I’m secure in trusting Him, instead of wasting energy in panic or speculation I can rely on His leading. And I can be quiet enough to hear Him.

LORD, thank You for Your promise to be my wall of fire and my glory within. Quiet me with Your presence, and help me take You at Your word.

This week’s song is Chris Tomlin’s “Everlasting God.”

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Be Still

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“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Psalm 46:10-11, NIV*

The Psalm opens with “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, NIV) From there, the writer expands on both the greatness of God and the magnitude of the trouble.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Or as the New American Standard Bible translates it, “Cease striving.” The context makes me think this “Be still” is addressed to the clamouring nations, but it also applies to the frantic Israelites.

Personally, I paraphrase it as “Stop fighting the universe.”

Be still… cease striving… stop fighting. Sounds good, but once we’re wound up we can’t stop. We’re like a toddler on overload who needs a loving parent to draw her into a big hug and whisper “shhh” against her hair.

Know that I am God…. When we’re still, we can see… experience… understand… learn that He is God.

How? By what He whispers to our hearts? By experiencing His presence? By seeing Him work in our circumstances? All this, and more.

Father, please calm our spirits. Still our souls until we can rest in You.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Let Don Francisco’s song, “Still Your Soul in Silence,” bless you today.

There’s a related post, “Be Still”, at the Moses Free Spirit Missionary Baptist Church Blog. Honest, I wrote mine on my own, and didn’t see this one until May 13/08! I guess the Spirit was whispering “be still” to a lot of us.

Another related post: Rest in God.

Another related post: Being Still.