Be Still and Know
by David Brenneman
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holyBe still, oh, restless soul of mineBow before the Prince of PeaceLet the noise and clamour cease
Be still and know that He is GodBe still and know that He is faithfulConsider all that He has doneStand in awe and be amazedAnd know that He will never changeBe still
Be still and know that He is GodBe still and know that He is GodBe still and know that He is GodBe stillBe speechless
Be still and know that He is GodBe still and know He is our FatherCome, rest your head upon His breastListen to the rhythm ofHis unfailing heart of loveBeating for his little onesCalling each of us to comeBe stillBe still
- "Be Still and Know" Steven Curtis Chapman 1999
One of the lessons that Dr. Charles Stanley taught had to do with praying in silence. Finding a good place to pray, open in prayer, then wait on the Lord Jesus. It's not that difficult on the surface but can be if you're not used to it.
We're anxious in some degree all the time. It shows in our impatience. Which is a part of everyone's life. A minute and a half in a microwave is too long to wait for some. A 2 minute wait at a stop light drives some people crazy, some to petition to replace it with a roundabout. We are a society that doesn't want to hear that we must wait.
"Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:31.
Many who have rejected Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior have done so because of impatience. They've set conditions on their belief and when they weren't met in their time frame, they gave up and refused anything further.
Many in the faith grow impatient and are not experiencing inner peace due to a lack of persistence in prayer. A person often goes to a doctor because they aren't well or are attempting to "get healthy" and reluctantly they take whatever pills, whatever is said for therapy. Yet many more won't listen to the Great Physician and seek a healthy Spiritual life.
In many psychological circles getting away to some place quiet is a recognized recommendation to achieving peace. This isn't some original 20th century idea. Biblically it's throughout the Scriptures.
Adam and Eve sought time with Jesus after the fall, but due to sin, this was complicated. Many many examples are throughout the Bible on those who dramatically benefited from time alone with Jesus.
Lauren Daigle had a song out called "Peace Be Still"
I don't want to be afraid
Every time I face the waves
I don't want to be afraid
I don't want to be afraid
I don't want to fear the storm
Just because I hear it roar
I don't want to fear the storm
I don't want to fear the storm
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I'm dancing in the deep
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can't see
I will trust the voice that speaks
I'm not gonna be afraid
'Cause these waves are only waves
I'm not gonna be afraid
I'm not gonna be afraid
I'm not gonna fear the storm
You are greater than it's roar
I'm not gonna fear the storm
I'm not gonna fear at all
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I'm dancing in the deep
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can't see
I will trust the voice that speaks
Peace peace over me.
When you're in a hospital, the whole environment is considered when healing is the goal. Keeping patients calm is a key even as much as the medication and doctors care. A recurring thought even through television shows such as post-op in M*A*S*H were to keep those there calm so that they could heal.
Do you really consider this? Do you intentionally have a place of silence and solitude to be with Jesus? Do you ever consider the truth that He DOES speak to His sheep? Don't for a second believe otherwise, no matter who says it, that He doesn't speak to you.
What did Jesus say on this subject?
"Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:25-30.
Moses often spoke with Jesus face-to-face. King David sat and talked with Jesus. King Solomon had as well.
When we came to Christ, we received a blanket request to come often to the Throne of God.
To many, they don't realize they are starving Spiritually because they haven't come to Christ in prayer.
Another passage says that the fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Fervent means persistent, constant. It also implies a solid faith that the prayer isn't in vain. That the assurance is there within this righteous man or woman that there IS one on the other end of the prayer who listens.
Being still...it's not really easy for me. Probably not for you either. I am just as impatient at times. But silence and solitude? I love it at the right times. These blog posts happen during my silent and solitude moments. Each evening before bed, I have been intentionally spending time with Jesus in more Bible studies and reading. The Bible says what goes into your heart comes out your mouth. So put something good into it. Jesus was the one who said those things.
Prayer ought to be like breathing. Being tempted to do it yourself is always dangling before you.
As someone coined the phrase "I know not what comes tomorrow, but I know who holds tomorrow in His hands".
Believe me the one key thing that Satan does not want you to do is to spend time with Jesus, to read and think about His word. He does not want you to slow down and find that peace that Jesus promised to provide you. He wants you so distraught and distracted that prayer and time alone with Jesus is the last thing you would ever consider as beneficial.
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holyBe still, oh, restless soul of mineBow before the Prince of PeaceLet the noise and clamour cease
Be still and know that He is GodBe still and know that He is faithfulConsider all that He has doneStand in awe and be amazedAnd know that He will never changeBe still
Be still and know that He is GodBe still and know that He is GodBe still and know that He is GodBe stillBe speechless
Be still and know that He is GodBe still and know He is our FatherCome, rest your head upon His breastListen to the rhythm ofHis unfailing heart of loveBeating for his little onesCalling each of us to comeBe stillBe still
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. Lockman Foundation.
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