Stop! Be still.
by Jilly Lyon-Taylor
We all face storms in our lives, and we are not promised that as Christians we will be exempt from them. In fact, Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
So how do we deal with the storms and difficulties that do come? Psalm 46 gives us some keys by declaring that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1-2). God is always present with us to help, and we can take refuge in Him and receive the strength and peace we need in any and every situation.
There is a further key for us contained in Psalm 46, in verse 10, which is today’s verse, when God says: “Be still and know that I am God.” If God is the source of everything we need, it is important that we set apart time to be conscious of His presence and to receive from Him. A 17th-century monk called Brother Lawrence wrote a book on “Practising the Presence of God”. This is an important principle for us all. It is good to start each day with Bible reading and prayer, but also by just being still in the Lord’s presence, knowing that He is God and listening to Him.
In 1 Samuel 15:16, when Saul is trying to excuse himself for not carrying out the Lord’s instructions, Samuel tells him to “Be quiet!” or “Stop!”. The Hebrew word used here is the same as in Psalm 46:10, but it seems much stronger in that context. I wonder how often God wants to say the same thing to us, to break through into our noise and busyness and tell us to be quiet and stop! In the midst of turmoil in our lives, it can make all the difference to stop and be still in His presence, even for just a few minutes. It helps us to regain an awareness of who He is, and He can then restore peace into our hearts through His Holy Spirit. Isaiah 30:15 says, “In quietness and trust is your strength.”
Why not resolve today to make stillness before the Lord a regular practice in our lives, so we can receive His strength and peace, especially when in the midst of a storm?
Jilly Lyon-Taylor is part of the Leadership Team at Ellel Pierrepont. She worked in publishing and then with children in Hong Kong before concentrating on being a full-time mother and serving in the local church. Her desire to see people healed led her to the Luke Nine Eleven Training Scheme(NETS) at Pierrepont, and now she teaches and ministers there.
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