In the last post, we mentioned why making time for downtime is beneficial. At the end of the post, I touched on the fact that David knew God so well because of all the time he spent alone with God while tending his flock.
And that is the bigger reason we’re called to make time to rest and be still. In Psalm 46:10 God says, “Be Still, and know that I am God”.
When God created the world, on the seventh day He rested and modeled it for us (Genesis 2:3). And when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, one of them was to keep the Sabbath day Holy and rest as God had (Exodus 20:8-12).
It feels like we live in a busy, non-stop lifestyle where there is always something that needs to be done. But how often is that true? Are there times in life when we create busyness? I know I do.
When we’re distracted by television, movies, songs, YouTube or TikTok videos, and social media, it’s easy to lose sight of God.
But when we sit still and watch anything outside, we’re reminded of all that God does.
As I see a sunrise or sunset, I’m reminded God makes the colors in the sky possible. It could just be blue or just have clouds and yet he gives us gorgeous colors. It reminds me of Psalm 19:1-4.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
As I hear the birds chirp or watch them fly, I remember God created the animals, the birds in the sky the fish in the sea, and everything in between. When I see flowers, I’m reminded God created them and cares for us even more (Luke 12:27-28).
And as I watch the wind I’m reminded of when Jesus quieted the wind that created the waves while in the boat with the disciples. And when Elijah heard the still small voice (KJV) or gentle whisper (NIV) of God in 1 Kings 19:12.
Equally important, being still gives me the time to remember the goodness of God. How magnificent and hallowed He is. How much He loves and cares for each of us. It gives me time to reflect and recognize all the ways He’s at work in my life, others, and across the world.
I believe it’s in the quiet time of our days that we are best able to hear God. Jesus modeled this for us when “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). The night before he had healed the sick and now, he took time to just be with God. To talk with and listen to God in a quiet place.
Jesus does this throughout his ministry – after feeding the crowd with loaves (Mark 6:46), before choosing the 12 apostles (Luke 6:12), and before being captured for his crucifixion (Matthew 26:36-46 and Luke 22:40-44), Jesus goes to quiet places to pray.
As I write this, it dawns on me, how much better would my decisions be, if I always went to God first. And after a busy day, I went to him in prayer.
But being still is about more than just making good decisions. It’s about taking the time to Know God. To reflect on His goodness and thank Him for the things He provides me with, the ways He’s at work in my days and life.
In the first 9 verses of Psalm 46, the psalmist reminds us God is our refuge and strength, ever-present help, that though there are storms and destruction, the Lord Almighty is with us. Then
the writer reminds us that God tells us to “Be still, and know that I am God”.
Recently a friend shared the Bible verse below from Romans 1:20 NLT
“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
As I’ve sat outside recently these thoughts have been on my mind and I’m so grateful for the ways God is reminding me of His goodness. It renews my desire to find time to sit outside, see God’s work, and know Him.
Wishing you time to be still and know God.
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