Being still has never been something that I’ve done well. Being in a totally quiet room with no sound unnerves me. I am completely deaf in one ear, so I am a Hard of Hearing person, and with each hearing exam, I am losing my hearing gradually in my good ear. I don’t know whether I will be totally deaf eventually or not, but silence makes me very uneasy, and I tend to fight being completely quiet, even when it comes to listening for God’s voice as He guides me on the path He has planned for me. Today’s Bible Journaling verse says, “Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 CSB) Most of us are more familiar with the King James Version, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
There was a time when it seemed that the only way God could get me to listen was to speak to me in my sleep. It was the only time of the day when I was completely quiet and able to hear Him. When He was trying to work His plans out for my life, I was so surrounded by noise, something to fill up the silence, that I couldn’t hear His directions. I haven’t completely conquered this, but I am getting better. I now can sit in a room, for a little while at least, in total silence and not freak out. It has taken a lot of prayer, a husband who is teaching me that silence isn’t a bad thing and is actually good for me, and time in God’s Word through Bible Journaling that has helped me.
Being still allows us to hear God’s voice clearly. When we allow Him to speak to us in the stillness, it brings all sorts of benefits. We know better what He wants from us. When we are quiet and listen to His voice, it dispels all turmoil. His voice brings peace to our minds, our spirit, to the atmosphere around us, and just quiets us into a state of calm. When we are full of chaotic thoughts and feelings, God can’t get through all the noise to help us. “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” (Psalm 62:5 ESV) In the silence, He gives peace, hope, direction, solutions to problems, and a knowing that He is always close by to help us. Even when we are waiting for God’s plan to unfold in our lives, silence helps us wait on Him. We get assurance that He is with us.
Waiting has also been one of those things I have a difficult time doing. I’m more of a, “Let’s get it done now!” kind of girl. But I must remember that my timing isn’t God’s, and His timing isn’t mine. (2 Peter 3:8) He sees my past, my present, and my future, and He knows better than I do, what is best for me. When God puts me in a time of waiting for His plan to unfold, I must be still, listen for His direction, and set out when He tells me that the time is right. He calls me to, “Be still, and know that I am God.” He gives us the recipe on being still in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Are you in a time of waiting for God’s plan to unfold? Then do as our Scripture says today, “Be still!” Let Him speak to you. Allow Him to minister to your soul during this time of waiting. As you focus on listening and being still, you will find great benefits and see God working in areas of your life that you may not be aware of otherwise. Remember, He is God, and we are not, and He has great plans for us. We just need to be quiet before Him and let Him do a work in us that will bring Him glory and honor.
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