I like to be kept busy and generally I don’t have to look too hard to find things to occupy me. However, even perfectly valid activities can cause me to be distracted and lose focus on God.
I need to ensure that I spend time quietly in His presence reading, studying, meditating on His Word and seeking His will. It is easy for me to neglect this precious time when life is busy and everything is going well.
However, when uncertainties arise or difficulties come, I am reminded of my weakness and total dependence on Him and turn to Him and His Word for help.
There are many examples in Scripture when individuals facing challenging circumstances, turned to God for help and guidance. In Exodus 14 we read of Moses being trapped in between the Red Sea and the pursuing Egyptians. While the people around cried out in panic and fear, Moses reassured the people with these powerful words, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord". Their stillness was an act of faith in God's power and presence.
This was my experience recently as we moved to a new area. While it seemed clear that it was the right thing to do, there were many setbacks and frustrations along the way. Things didn’t happen just exactly as we had planned and there was absolutely nothing that we could do to change the situation. Being unable to do anything made it difficult not to worry and complain! However, it brought me to appreciate this verse in a way that I hadn’t before.
In the context of the Psalm, all around was chaos, strife and fear. Yet even in such times, the instruction was to “be still”.
Stillness requires us to stop – stop moving, stop speaking, stop worrying, just stop . . . and rest in what we know about God. Of course, this is dependent on us having a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ and having already studied and learned as much as we can about Him.
Knowing God brings us peace and assurance in even the most difficult of circumstances because Scripture assures us that:
- He is Love (1 John 4:8)
- He desires what is best for us (Jeremiah 29:11).
- He is in overall control (Jeremiah 51:15,16).
- He is able (Ephesians 3:20).
In these times of stillness, we learn to rest fully on God and His promises. We need to give up the control that we desperately try to hold onto and lean completely on Him, trusting that, whatever circumstances arise that are beyond our control, God has permitted them and they will ultimately be for our good.
”And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28).
During our move, my faith was tested but strengthened, and my knowledge was challenged but refined. Stopping and waiting on God, and acknowledging Christ as Lord of our lives, allows us to experience a calm stillness – a peace that is like no other.
