Have you ever been involved in a car accident? What about a tornado or earthquake? There’s a breathless moment immediately after the destruction when all falls silent…nothing moves.
Then the mind begins to spin, and the emotions kick in. If other people are involved, interactions unfold—good or bad.
I want to talk about that split second of stillness today. That utter void of sound, activity, and thought amid the bookends of chaos.
God’s Word Describes It
One of my favorite verses is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God,” but I’ve seldom read the verses before or after it. On the day I’m writing this, the Lord whispered that particular phrase into my troubled soul. Quite frankly, I’ve experienced one blow after another. A little bit of chaos in my corner of the world. I’m down. Beaten. So I opened my Bible to read the context of Psa. 46:10 and found a treasure-trove of encouragement…
“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (emphasis added) Psalm 46:7-11
Did you notice the desolations, wars, etc. that occur before the call to be still and know God is God? It’s like the car accident or tornado. Chaos precedes that moment of profound stillness, when we recognize God’s majesty.
Safe Within the Bookends
Did you notice verses 7 and 11 that serve as “bookends” for the chaos? They’re exactly the same:
“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (emphasis added) Psalm 46:7,11
The assurance that the Almighty God is WITH US before the chaos must carry us through til we reach the stillness. And believing the Almighty God is WITH US after the stillness must carry us through the silence that sometimes ensues after the chaos.
The End
That’s it. That’s all I’ve got this week. No witty stories. No cute sayings. I’m just trying to move that lesson from my head to my heart. I’m trying to live by these truths:
- He is with me.
- Let the chaos rage.
- I will be still and know that He is God.
Tweet-A-Licious!
- Today’s topic is stillness: the utter void of sound, activity, and thought.
- Chaos often precedes profound stillness. Only then do we recognize God’s majesty.
- He is with us. Let the chaos rage. Be still and know that He is God.
Today’s Question:
- How do you “get still” before the Lord?
Comments 14
Beautiful post Mesu. This was the theme of my first book, so a subject I spent 19 months in front of the Lord with. One of the things I learned is that in that quietness that follows destruction often we have trouble hearing the Lord. It’s like when a blast goes off and our ears ring blocking out the sound around us. That’s when faith and hope anchor us. We call out for the Lord and in His own perfect timing He speaks.
Author
Oh, that’s so true! I love the illustration of a blast ringing in the ears. It’s how we feel sometimes when the world is too loud and God’s voice seems to soft. Thanks so much for sharing that, Jessica!
Thanks Mesu, So needed that one! I get so caught up sometimes in my worries that I do forget we need those times of stillness and quietness to remember that Christ is with us and that we are forever in His arms and not the arms of the evil one. These are the times that will make our relationship with Him much stronger. Thank you again for all you do!!!
Author
These ARE the times that make our relationship stronger, Faith. Hang onto Him and listen for the stillness, friend. 😉
Thanks for the post Mesu. I have trouble being still. I know He spoke to Isaiah in a still small voice and I reach for that but I often have too many other things pounding away at me. I have to get away by myself and use my Bible, sometimes two or three and search for Him. Often though it is when I am so tired that I can’t think of anything else that I find my stillness. I feel so comfortable in His arms it’s like a cocoon. I know when I emerge I will be a beautiful butterfly.
Author
I can definitely relate to hearing Him when I’m finally too tired to do anything else! ha! Why do we have to get to that point before we listen? It sounds like you know what you need to do to get quiet, and that’s a HUGE thing. Blessings on you, dear one!
Yes, Yes, Yes. Finding that inner place, In Him I live and move and have my being, In Him I am still, absorbing His Peace, sweet peace. Fighting for that place in chaos…letting the Holy Spirit move on that chaos like He did during creation. Darkness on the face of the deep and the Spirit of God MOVED. That has to be greater than………..Fighting to get to peace then allowing it to flow in as the riot flows out. Thank You, Jesus.
Author
Amen, and amen! 😉
So encouraging! Thanks for sharing Mesu! 🙂
Author
Glad you were encouraged, dear one! 😉
Hi Mesu, Thoughtful post. I am in the middle of chaos caring for my elderly mom after a corneal transplant. It is only when I pull back to my quiet time reading God’s Word do I find peace. There are drops to do, baths to give, meals to fix as well as grocery shopping and other chores and only when I take time to refresh in God’s Word do I find the strength to continue. I’m praying for you daily and hope that gives you encouragement! Linda
Author
I worked for an ophthalmologist as his scribe for two years, so I saw several post-op corneal transplants. It’s not an easy surgery or recovery. I pray the Lord continues to give grace and peace as you and your mom work together through this difficult recovery. I’m humbled to think you take time from such an overwhelming schedule to pray for me, precious one. Thank you so much for your willing heart to serve. May the Lord bless you a hundred-fold! 😉
Thank you Dearest Mesu, for sharing what God has taught you…so He can teach me too. I have a BIG problem with being still…I love and cherish that verse and need to get it in me..more often. Very interesting to read the verses before and after that one. SO glad you shared. Take good care Dear. XO
Author
Blessings on you, dear friend, as you find ways to take your busy, busy life and find moments of stillness to absorb His peace. Love you oodles! XO