still

Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God."

Exodus 14:14 - "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

I have four children, ages 9, 7, 5, and 4.  The word "still" is essential to my vocabulary.  "Sit still!," I tell them in church.  "Lie still!," as I wrestle them into bed at night.  "Sit still at the dinner table!"  "Sit still!," while the barber gives a haircut.  We love our children, but as parents, we know there are times when your children have to learn to wait.  Patiently.  To be still.  To rest.  To cease activity.  It's not to control them.  It's because as parents, we know what's best for them.  If they sit still in church, they're more likely to hear the word of God (or you are, at least).  If they lie still in bed, they'll have an easier transition into a restful night.  If he sits still in the barber's chair, he's a lot less likely to have a giant nick on his scalp.  It's for their benefit and the greater good of the family.  Be still.  Time and time again, the Lord tells us through scripture to be still.  As our omniscient,  omnipresent Father, He knows what's best for us.

Stop.  Cease.  Let go.  Be calm.

He's constantly reminding us just who is in control.  When the Lord says be still in scripture, it's in the midst of battle; at the brink of defeat.  Life may be a little less primitive in our first-world country than it was in the middle east of the bible, but these scriptures are certainly still applicable today.  In the midst of a divorce?  Be still.  Undergoing chemotherapy?  Be still.  Have you lost the person you loved most in this world?  Be still.  God instructs us frequently to sit back and trust that He has everything under control.  It won't always be easy.  In fact, in some cases it will be the hardest thing we ever do - to trust the Lord and wait on him.  But it will always be worth it.

As we read God's word and soak it up, we grow closer to Him and are more able to quiet ourselves and listen for His voice and instruction.  It's in the quiet and the meditation over scripture where He often comes to us, comforting and guiding us.  James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

Romans 8:28 says, "For we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."  Now, that isn't to say everything will be gravy for us if we follow Him.  Life will definitely not always be gravy.  But we are to trust Him with the good...and the awful.  The blessings, and the major upheavals of life.  When Job's life falls into shambles and his wife instructs him to "Curse God and die!,"  "He replies, You are talking like a foolish woman.  Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10).  If the Lord provides for us and blesses us, should we not also trust that our troubles have a far greater purpose than is within our understanding?  People are flawed.  People make terrible mistakes, awful judgment calls.  I'd much rather entrust my life to a sovereign Lord than to my own flawed, sinful thinking.  So "be still, and know that He is God."

So listen for His instruction.  Immerse yourself in His word.  Pray.  Let the Lord do His work.