Being Still

What does it mean to be still? When should you be still? The answer is more often than you think.

Be still and know that I am God.

─ Psalm 46:10 NIV

When you look at different translations of this verse, you get a decent glimpse of what it means to be still:

• Calm down and learn that I am God (CEV)
• “Stop fighting,” he says, “and know that I am God” (GNT).
• Stand silent! Know that I am God (TLB)!
• Cease striving and know that I am God (NAS).
• Be quiet and know that I am God (NLV).

Come quietly and closely to your Heavenly Father today and know that He is God.

But in Hebrew, the word for be still, raphah, means much more than just the cessation of activity. Raphah has some pained translations: helpless, discouraged, feeble, failing.  But even in these translations, we find insight. Without God, if we do not know God, then we are helpless, discouraged, feeble and failing. Yet even in this faltering position — or because of this faltering position — we are to know God. (See Isaiah 40:29-31.)

When we are at our wits end, when we are at the end of our strength, when all the distractions and excuses are exhausted, when we are helpless, we are to know God. (See Isaiah 25:4.)

Other definitions are to sink down, relax and let down, like sinking down into one of those old-fashioned over-stuffed chairs. Or place yourself into the bosom of the Father and wrap yourself up in His cloak. There you will find comfort; there you will know the intimacy and the love of our Heavenly Father. (See Psalm 90:1-2.)

Today’s One Thing

So where are you today? Ask yourself … 

• Do I need to stop doing? 
• Do I need to stop talking? 
• Am I feeling helpless or discouraged? 
• Do I need to relax?

No matter where you are, you can come before your Heavenly Father; and quietly and closely know that He is God.

Go Deeper

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