““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 ESV
Reflection: how often do you allow yourself to enter into complete solitude?
We are surrounded by noise almost 24×7. With the access to work, to people, information, and even entertainment at our fingertips, we trade thought and rest for our minds with non stop input. However, there is something very powerful about being in silence. I mean in total silence. Away from all noise of roads and the city. From our mobile phones, TV, music, entertainment. From people. And then even trying to silence your own mind, which may be the most difficult to quiet from all the demands on us, fears and worries. Just you. And God.
At first, it may feel strange. Perhaps feeling unproductive or wasteful. Perhaps feeling like you are missing out on something important, something going on. But even more so, it may feel a bit scary. Because in the silence you will eventually
…meet the Lord.
We see many references throughout the Bible about the importance of silence in meeting the Lord. “Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”Zechariah 2:13 ESV. And in the psalm today, we see very direct language by our Lord God, instructing His people to be still. Why the need for silence? So that they will know that He is God. To be able to hear His voice, the Holy Spirit guiding us according to the will of our Father God, and to watch Him work. We may even get a glimpse of His greatness, His glory. So that we can exalt Him, who deserves all praise and worship forever, Amen.
Even Jesus went early in the mornings to a quiet place, where he could be alone with His Father. “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” Mark 1:35 ESV. Why do we think we don’t need to the same? Do we think perhaps we are above our Lord Jesus? We must learn from our Master. We may also be reminded of the story of Mary and Martha. “But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”” Luke 10:41-42 ESV. While we cannot do that physically like Maria, we can be quiet so that we can hear the Holy Spirit. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to you remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV.
So how does this help us to “know” that He is God? The word used here for know is a very rich word, full of meaning according to Strong, including “to learn to know; to perceive and see, to find out; to recognize; to know by experience.” It has been my personal experience that, unless I intentionally slow down and be still, and pay careful attention to what is going on around me, I cannot hear what He is staying, and I cannot perceive the work the Lord is doing. I might even look at something spectacular as just some random event, without seeing other connections. But when I slow down, when I am quiet, like Maria, I will start to perceive and understand what is really going on. And it leads me to worship of our Father God. It leads me to peace.
Maybe life feels a bit overwhelming today, with all that is going on in your life. Like a mountain you are climbing, that seems to just continue. Can’t even see the top of it yet. Maybe you need to just sit down and be still for a while. Take a break from climbing. To seek a quiet place, to be with the Lord in silence. He is there, you know, already waiting for you. Perhaps you can just rest there awhile, with Him, to hear His calming voice. Perhaps He will show you another path around the mountain. Or perhaps even remove the mountain for you all together. But He is telling all of us today, to
..,“Be still, and know that I am God.”