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Be Still and Know
explained by Chuck Swindoll in INTIMACY WITH THE ALMIGHTY. BE STILL AND KNOW "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10, New International Version) Before hurrying past that profound command, let's turn it over in our minds several times. "Cease striving and know that I am God! Stand silent! Know that I am God!" (The Living Bible) "Let be and be still, and know-recognize and understand-that I am God." (The Amplified Bible) "Give in," he cries, "admit that I am God." (Moffat) "Stop fighting," he says, "and know that I am God." (Today's English Version) I am especially intrigued by the creative paraphrase employed by Eugene Peterson: "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything." (The Message) However we may prefer to read it, this is an emphatic imperative addressed to God's own people. People of every race, color, culture, and era . . . people of any level of maturity and age. . . . people who are employed or unemployed, single or married, with or without children, all people whose God is the Lord. We are commanded to stop (literally) . . . rest, relax, let go, and make time for Him. The scene is one of stillness and quietness, listening and waiting before Him. Such foreign experiences in these busy times! Nevertheless, knowing God deeply and intimately requires such discipline. Silence is indispensable if we hope to add depth to our spiritual life. [In the same chapter, Swindoll joins these thoughts to a list of four decisions and four disciplines for becoming more intimately acquainted with Christ.] THE DECISION - (THE DISCIPLINE) to reorder one's private world - (simplicity) to be still - (silence) to cultivate serenity - (solitude) to trust the Lord completely - (surrender) ======== --Chuck Swindoll, INTIMACY WITH THE ALMIGHTY: ENCOUNTERING CHRIST IN THE SECRET PLACES OF YOUR LIFE, Word Publishing, 1996. [Do the summer months provide you with a different pace and some much-needed time for re-creation, or do you replace your normal busy weekly routine with a never-ending array of exciting, one-time-can't-miss-this-one events? That's me! So won't you join in me making a resolve and a plan to "Be still!"] Have a great week, Chip Stam |