Be Still And Know That I Am God!

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). But just what do these words mean to us as Christians? Some think that these words refer to the Lord speaking to the nations to cease from war, or an exhortation to cease from evil works. In either case, if we apply the key words “be still” and “know”, while taking in the rest of the scripture “….I will be exalted among heathens, I will be exalted in the earth;” it points to the apparent conclusion of the scripture….peace.

The common meaning of the still is quiet, silence, calm and soothe. To know is to be familiar with; develop a relationship with by spending time, and being aware of. When we are truly still – calmness envelops us like none other. If we are in pain, hurt, going through trials and tribulations, we are soothed through the ensuing quietness. Being still is equated with meditation, and meditation takes us to a quiet, calm place. When we meditate on the Lord, we find a calmness that cannot be described. During those moments, time stands still, the sheer communion with God is like none other than can be felt in any other way. God’s presence is undeniable and the feelings provoked during that mediation, that time of stillness can only be described as tearful beauty! Psalm 104:34; Philippians 4:8; Psalm 119:15; Psalm 19:14

I was once told that when you love someone, you will want to get to know them; what they are like, what they like, what they dislike, what makes them happy and what makes them unhappy. Your desire to want to get to know God will result in an intimacy that cannot be experienced with mortal man. God loves us with a love that cannot be equaled; and the sacrifice of his son encapsulates that love. John 3:16 He makes no distinction based on one’s physical appearance. 1 Samuel 6:7; 1 Peter 3:3-4; Proverbs 31:30

When we get to know God, we move to a quiet, still place in our mind and the Lord becomes our shepherd. Psalm 23 Being still and intimately getting to know God brings about a peace that passeth all understanding. Philippians 4:6-7 Peace takes us to a place that we do not want to leave. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 We will have that peace in every place and in every way. This peace is just the beginning, but it is enough to keep us going until it is fulfilled in the presence of the Lord.Oh how wonderful it is to be still and know God!

Can You Sleep When the Wind Blows?

Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast.  He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops. 

As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals.   Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farmhand?" the farmer asked him.  "Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him.

The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.  Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hiredhand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up!  A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!"  The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows." 

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot.

Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred.  The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down.  Nothing could blow away.  The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

MORAL: When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically,  you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?  The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm.   We, as believers in Christ, secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God.  We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the midst of the storms.  I hope you sleep well!    Enjoy the day! May God Bless You and Yours