Be Still

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. Ps 37:7

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Ps 46:10

Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling. Zech 2:13

Be still, don't fret
When evil seems to succeed;
Wait patiently for God to act,
Thus from worry you are freed.

Be still, calm down,
And know that I am God;
Though nations rise against Me,
In the end, I'll be praised abroad.

Be still, mankind,
Before our God and King;
His return is near because 
He's roused from His Holy Dwelling.

Be still. In a world that’s full of turmoil, God is calling us to be still. It’s so easy to go off the rails and worry yourself sick about all that is going on right now. But God is calling us to wait on Him. For the majority of us, there isn’t much we can do to change what’s happening in our world. But we can pray. And that is not a small thing! Prayer is a powerful weapon. (The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corninthians 10:4) Prayer changes things. (And He said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Mark 9:29) Prayer changes us. (Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7) When we pray, God fills us with a sense of peace that is inexplicable. The world around us may not change immediately, but we are able to be still and know that God is in control. God’s timing is not usually our timing, but it is perfect.Sometimes we only realize that in hindsight. (Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9)

Be still. In a world that seems anti God, He calls us to be still. Since the beginning of time, God has had enemies. Ever since Satan and his following fell from grace, he’s been on a warpath to destroy God’s people. God’s command for us to be still is for our protection. When we lose our calm, we are vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. (Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8) Jesus was a prime example of remaining calm in the midst of fear and dissension. He slept during a storm, awoke, and calmed the seas. He told Peter to put away the sword when the guards came to arrest Him. He asked the Lord to forgive His enemies as He was dying on the cross because of them. In each instance, He is reminding us to lean on our faith and not our own understanding. (Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6) It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and react without thinking. Who wouldn’t be fearful in the middle of a raging storm? Who wouldn’t be ready to fight someone who is wrongly accusing your best friend? Who wouldn’t want to seek revenge on those who’ve killed a loved one? But Jesus calls us to have faith instead of fear. He tells us to flip our emotions upside down and love our enemies, do good to those who persecute you. In doing so we are honoring God. (But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36) That’s a pretty tall order! I find a good starting place is praying for my enemy. Praying for their salvation if they aren’t believers. Praying for reconciliation with God if they are. Praying for me to forgive them. Only God can make these changes happen, but with God all things are possiible!

Be still. We know some day the world will be reconciled with God. World peace! How amazing it will be to see every tribe, tongue, and nation praising Him! (Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11) For the time being, let us promote world peace in our little corner of the world by getting along with everyone as much as is possible. In so doing, we may win another soul for Christ.

Lord, thank you for Your Word that teaches us how to be calm in the midst of trials, fears, and turmoil. Help me to be still before You as I seek Your peace in my heart and mind. All glory and honor to You, Lord! Amen