Psalm 46:10 - Being Still to Know God.
Psalm 46:10 (KJV) Be still, and know that I
am God;
COMMENTARY PEARLS
Jesus has been dealing with me about
busyness (and rest) for a while. Or better yet, about
not being so busy. I routinely overschedule
myself and my family; overwhelming everyone even
with good stuff like sports, church activities,
and social events. I see a need - a friends,
at the boys schools, in the community - and
volunteer. Its all good. Or is it? Im a hard
case. I traded His easy yoke for a hard one
(Matthew 11:30).
Yet my deeply personal Jesus deals with
me on a very personal level. Decidedly type A,
I have a hard time discerning whats
busyness, whats essential, and whats simply
using my gifts to serve others. Am I not supposed
to help people? Dont I need to cultivate my
kids talents? Shouldnt I maximize every day?
This is especially hard during a busy season with
small kids at home.
Well, thats where the stillness comes
in. If Jesuss still, small voice cant be
heard above the din of my life, Im too busy. If
I cant walk the dog without my cell phone,
or just sit and listen to the silence, or just
while away an hour that doesnt generate
production? Im too busy.
Willing to obey Jesuss persistent
promptings, Ive made time for stillness, though
its been uncomfortable. I quit some volunteer
commitments and now pause to ask Jesus if He wants me to
help. I dont double-schedule activities. I seek
Jesuss discernment about social connections to
pursue. In that deliberately acquired downtime, He
has revealed some misguided motives, validated
priorities, provided insight, and delivered me from
fears. Ive found transcendent serenity affirms
Jesuss truly sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9).
by Isabella Yosuico
Faith Step: Next time you experience that
anxious, driven feeling of busyness, find a quiet
place and be still. Use this time to talk Jesus.
[Mornings With Jesus 2020 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
The Hurry Sickness
We need to ruthlessly eliminate hurry
from our lives because it is one of the great
enemies of the spiritual life. I find myself
hurrying for no reason at all. Jesus never hurried.
He had plenty to do and accomplished a great
deal in His life, but the Bible never mentions
Him rushing from thing to thing.
Hurrying physically is bad enough, but I
find that inner hurry is even worse. It prevents
us from truly meditating on anything long
enough to get any value from it. When we hurry, we
skim the surface of life and never enter into the
depth of anything. Jesus meant for life to be
enjoyed, not endured as we rush from thing to thing,
often going nowhere. Hurry not only hinders joy,
but it is harmful to our health. It also damages
relationships because we end up not taking time for
people.
When we fast, we give up something that
is important to us, so I have decided to fast
hurrying, beginning with a one-day commitment. I think
if I tackle it one day at a time, I might
succeed. I am excited to see what kind of difference
it makes in my life. If you feel you need to do
this too, please join me, and we can journey
together in living life as Jesus did.
Father, I am sorry that I have missed so
much in life by hurrying. Forgive me and help me
slow down! [My Time with God by Joyce Meyer]
COMMENTARY
Stop reading for a minute and listen.
Just listen - and then list the noises you're
hearing. Are there sounds from outside the house? Do
you hear traffic? kids playing? dogs barking?
people talking? airplanes flying?
Now identify noises from within the room
where you sit. Is the television or radio on? Are
you listening to music? Did the phone just ring?
Are there clocks ticking? motors humming?
What about the noise in your head? What
responsibilities, chores, or worries do you find preoccupying
you and interrupting these few minutes with the
Lord? What song is stuck in your mind? What item
do you need to mention to your administrator or
add to your to-do list?
Speaking of your to-do list, what does
this week's calendar look like? What downtime, if
any, do you have scheduled?
We fill our lives with incessant noise,
commotion, and busy-ness - and then we wonder why we
don't hear God's voice. As the psalmist knew long
ago and believers have discovered again and
again since then, it is in the stillness that we
find God. So right now - for just a few minutes -
be still, and know that He is God. [Being Still
With God Every Day by Henry Blackaby]
I've noticed that there is always a
temptation to be going somewhere, doing something. We
fill our calendars, "to do" lists, and
appointment books to overflowing. A successful day is
marked by going to bed exhausted, only to wake to
another day just as full as the last. Somehow that
doesn't seem right to me. How are we supposed to
hear God's voice if we are always racing through
life? I think that's what God is talking about
when he says, "Be still!"
Why don't we all try being still
together, beginning with a prayer? Let's tell God that
for the next few minutes, we aren't going
anywhere or doing anything. We are just going to be
still and wait in his presence. Now, let's clear
our minds of all the questions and thoughts
about our day. We want to quiet ourselves before
him as well. Maybe he'll speak to us this time
and maybe he won't, but at the very least, quiet
time with him will refresh and uplift us.
From now on, let's meet with God in
stillness every day. It might take some getting used
to, but once it has become a habit, a healthy
one, God is sure to make himself known. Sitting
and being still before him may not sound
exciting, but every time we are in God's presence,
listening for his voice, we are at the center of all
things. That's a very exciting place to be.
I'm here, Father, waiting in your
presence. It's so peaceful here. In Jesus' name, Amen.
[Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by John & Johnny
Baker]
Start Seeking God
"Lord, I'm back and I diligently seek
you." How many times have we said this? This time
stop talking and sit silently. Wait patiently,
seek diligently, sit silently. That means you
need to pour out your heart and then deliberately
be quiet. Spend a full day in quietness.
Meditation is a lost art in this modern,
hurry-up world. I suggest you revive it. Not by
endlessly repeating some mantra to get into some other
frame of mind. Not that. Simply and silently wait
before your faithful God. Read a passage of
Scripture, perhaps a psalm, and let it speak. Say
nothing. Just sit silently. Let Him talk. Let Him
reassure you that you are fully and completely
forgiven and that your shame is gone. Feel His arms
around you. Understand the cleansing that He's
bringing. Feel again the freshness and relief of His
presence.
God will give you a fresh start if you'll
stop fighting. It works. I know. I've been there.
Just submit to Him and accept His grace.
God will keep His promise to forgive and
welcome you home. His mercies are new every
morning.
Take time to sit silently and let God
talk to you. Feel His arms around you and the
relief of His presence. Charles R. Swindoll [Chuck
Swindoll www.insight.org.]
Practicing His Presence
How do I live in Gods presence? How do
I detect his unseen hand on my shoulder and
his inaudible voice in my ear? A sheep grows
familiar with the voice of the shepherd. How can you
and I grow familiar with the voice of God? Here
are a few ideas:
Give God your waking thoughts. Before you
face the day, face the Father. Before you step
out of bed, step into his presence. I have a
friend who makes it a habit to roll out of his bed
onto his knees and begin his day in prayer.
Personally, I dont get that far. With my head still
on the pillow and my eyes still closed, I offer
God the first seconds of my day. The prayer is
not lengthy and far from formal. Depending on
how much sleep I got, it may not even be
intelligible. Often its nothing more than Thank you
for a nights rest. I belong to you today.
Give God your waiting thoughts. Spend
time with him in silence. The mature married
couple has learned the treasure of shared silence;
they dont need to fill the air with constant
chatter. Just being together is sufficient. Try being
silent with God. Be still, and know that I am
God (Ps. 46:10 NIV). Awareness of God is a fruit
of stillness before God.
Give God your whispering thoughts.
Through the centuries Christians have learned the
value of brief sentence prayers, prayers that can
be whispered anywhere, in any setting.
Imagine considering every moment as a
potential time of communion with God. By giving God
your whispering thoughts, the common becomes
uncommon. Simple phrases such as Thank you,
Father, Be sovereign in this hour, O Lord,
You are my resting place, Jesus can turn a
commute into a pilgrimage. You neednt leave your
office or kneel in your kitchen. Just pray where
you are. Let the kitchen become a cathedral or
the classroom a chapel. Give God your whispering
thoughts.
And last, give God your waning thoughts.
At the end of the day, let your mind settle on
him. Conclude the day as you began it: talking to
God. Thank him for the good parts. Question him
about the hard parts. Seek his mercy. Seek his
strength. And as you close your eyes, take assurance
in the promise: He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep (Ps. 121:4
NIV). If you fall asleep as you pray, dont
worry. What better place to doze off than in the
arms of your Father. [Max Lucado Daily Devotional
at maxlucado.com]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Be still, and know that I am God. Most
Christians are familiar with this command, but not so
many take it seriously. Yet for those who do,
blessings flow like streams of living water. As these
believers sit in stillness - focusing on Me and My
Word - their perception of Me expands and their
troubles shrink in importance.
I want you to share in these blessings,
beloved. Take time, take time with Me. While you rest
in My Presence, I untangle your thoughts and
help you view things more biblically. Remember:
My Word is a lamp to guide your feet and a
light for your path. Biblical thinking illuminates
the path before you so you can find your way.
It's crucial to know not only that I am
God but that I made you and you are Mine. You
are a sheep of My pasture. Sheep have very
limited understanding of what their shepherd is
doing for them, but they follow him anyway.
Similarly, as My "sheep," your job is to trust Me and
follow wherever I lead. (Psa. 46:10; Joh. 7:38;
Psa. 119:105; 100:3) [Jesus Always by Sarah
Young]
Come rest with Me, beloved. Though many
tasks are calling to you, urging you to put them
first, I know what you need most: to be Still in My
Presence. Take some deep breaths, and fix your gaze on
Me. As you return your attention to Me, let your
concerns roll off - like water off a duck's back.
This enables you to relax and enjoy My nearness.
I am never far from you!
Meditate on Scripture; search for Me in
the Bible. Let these words of grace and truth
soak into the depths of your soul and draw you
closer to Me. My Word is living and active, so it
can infuse fresh life into you.
When it is time to return to your tasks,
bring Me into those activities. Include Me in your
plans and problem-solving. I am relevant to
everything you do, say, and think. Whisper My Name,
"Jesus, in sweet remembrance of My nearness. In
everything you do, put Me first, for I am the Lord of
your life. (Psa. 46:10; Heb. 4:12; Pro. 3:6)
[Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Psalm 46:10 - Being Still to Know God.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160427-2014.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (currently live):
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
