For those who know me, it becomes apparent quickly unless I am sick, tired, or in a depressive funk. I am ADD and hyperactive. Most likely, your response is “Hello, no surprise for me.” I believe that the Holy Spirit often is whispering to me, “Shhh!…Be still…”
Because of the constant noise and activity of our current society, one of the most powerful, soothing, and healing Bible verses in our collective spiritual walk with Jesus is found in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Our relationship with God is thwarted because we seldom get alone in a quiet place to spend uninterrupted, quality time with Him. So, I am saying to you, “Shhh!!…be still…” In the verse above, notice the by-product of “being still” is that we get to know our God.
One of the most “stilling” passages in scripture is discovered in Psalm 23:1-3. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” The literal translation of “still waters” is “waters of rest” and “paths of righteousness” is “right paths”. The ultimate result of being still and restful in your soul (mind, emotions, and will) is being restored and led down the right paths. Meet with Him daily. If you do, your life and lifestyle will become whole, purposeful, and peaceful.
Psalm 37:7 presents to us very wise counsel while living in this crazy world. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” Be still allows you to receive a Godly perspective keeping you from chasing the cares and devices of this world.
Notice the instructions from God in Joshua 3:8&13 to the Israelites who had spent many years wandering in the wilderness (do you have a similar testimony?) and were finally crossing over the Jordan to the Promised Land. “And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant (the presence of God), ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan…And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.” Before the Israelites were delivered from years of wandering with God cutting off the flow of the River Jordan, He desired for His people to behold His presence by worshipping in stillness. Jesus will do wonderful, powerful things in our lives once we learn to practice His presence void of noise…being still in our soul.
A “quiet time” means to throw off the pressures, angst, and hurts of this world…hushed. In God’s presence enjoy and worship Jesus. “Shhh!…be still…”
Barnabas Man 