Be Still and Know
Did you know that the word “still” used here is actually a verb? It comes from the Hebrew word “yaw-faw” and it means to relax, to cease, to become slack. Who would have thought it requires action and intentionality to do nothing? This action of being still is among the most difficult things for us as human beings to do, especially in the world we live in today. Everything is now, now, now and go, go, go. Very rarely do we just slow down and be still. Yet it is when we do this that we experience the most action. Psalm 46:10 tells us, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted in the earth.” Be still and know. . . . The word “know” comes from the Hebrew word, “yaw-dah” it means to know by observing and reflecting, and to know by experiencing. This verse shows us that our initial experience, with God and of God, is conditioned on us being still. I believe James 4:10 says it better, “Humble yourselves in the presence of the LORD and he will exalt you.” A great example of this is found in Luke 10:38-42; the story of Martha and Mary. Let me ask you, dear reader, as I ask myself, do you find your actions more like Martha or more like Mary? “Be still and know.” Know what?
Let’s explore the three descriptions used to describe the word “know.” 1. Observe; In His presence, humble and still at His feet, we can observe His righteousness, His love, His mercy and His power. 2. Reflect; As we observe Him it allows us to reflect on our wickedness, our selfishness, our pride and our weakness. It is only as we understand the latter that the former can even being to be appreciated by us. It is only as we come to understand how frail and faulted we are that we can begin to appreciate His love and grace. When we realize we are lost once we have accepted this, it is then we will be still and ask for directions. It is then we will begin to 3. Experience Him, to know Him. To be still before the Lord like Mary, is to reverence Him, to trust Him. To be still before the Lord requires humility, patience, and trust. At the core of impatience, not being still before God, is pride and mistrust.
Without a doubt, my dear brothers and sisters the greatest example of pride and mistrust is our not being still before the Lord. I am talking about prayer, people of God! Why is it we will plan everything but a time to be still before God in prayer? How is it we do not have 10-15-20 minutes each morning to be still before Almighty God? I’m not talking about doing a devotional on your phone while you wait for your mocha-latte-cappuccino. I’m talking about being still! I’m talking about decreasing; being still. I’m talking about you knowing God; Him increasing. John 3:30; We must do better. Not just because we have to but because we want to. We have way too many Marthas and not enough Marys.
I want to challenge you. For the next 30 days be intentional about prayer. Each morning make a time and place to be still before God in prayer. I realize some of you reading this may struggle with prayer. Do not allow this to discourage you. Remember He cares more about our availability than our ability. To help encourage you along, I will share something my brother, Justin Underwood, shared with me. It’s the Prayer Circle. There are 12 parts to the Prayer Circle.
They are:
1. Praise the Lord
2. Wait on Him
3. Confess your sins
4. Read the Word
5. Intercession
6. Petition
7. Pray the Word
8. Thanksgiving
9. Singing
10. Meditation
11. Listen
12. Praise
I want you to, as you do this, to find Scripture in support of each one. To write down people you want to intercede for you, petitions you may have, things you’re thankful for. I want you to personalize it. During the first week try to spend at least a minute on each part of the Prayer Circle. In weeks two and three, try a minute and a half. For the last week, which I pray will be the first week of a new daily thing, try to spend two minutes on each part. If you desire to go longer, great! I promise you, if you do this you will deepen your experience of God. But you don’t have to take my word for it, take His, “Be still and know that I am God. . . .” It’s time prayer be our first response and not our last resource. Let us hold him to His Word dear brothers and sisters. Philippians 4:6-9; Job 28:28.
Song of the Month: Pat Barren, “The Way”
Kingdom Kid, DPC