Be Still

ILLUST - In the British Royal Navy, when there is a disaster at sea, the bosun (boatswain) uses his whistle to pipe the notes of “The Still.” This orders the sailors to stop what they are doing

Today, perhaps, God is asking you to BE STILL.

Can you imagine the possibility of being still and at peace in the midst of all that is going on? It’s not just suggested here, it is commanded.

My goal today is for us to be moved to be still.

Be Still

Be still when everything is not.

This is a paradox and the Bible is full of them.

When world is on tilt - don’t DO something BE STILL

“When the going gets tough, the tough . . . “

We believe that in order to accomplish something we need to DO something.

God’s economy: accomplishment = Being still.

“Be still” = ‘relax. Be slack. Let go. Leave it alone.”

This describes both the reason and the result of being still.

Reason we are to be still is because HE IS GOD.

Result of being still is that we will then know HE IS GOD.

First rule of Being still is that it requires you to BE STILL

Brilliant

1 Kings 19 - God met Elijah in the quiet whisper.

Jesus often got away in the quiet to be with the Father.

Being still requires two things:

Intentionality

2 ways to stop (become still):

Voluntarily slow down

Crash

Time

ILLUST - Elsie and the percolator. “It takes time to stop ‘plopping.’”

To be sure, “being still” is an attitude more than an action, but it is our actions that generally tune our attitudes.

And Know

Know - yada — to fully know — to see

Remember

Read

**Being still places our trust where it belongs**

Be still and know God can be trusted. (1-3)

Psalm 46:1 (ESV)

1 God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Trust is key in being still — If you are not the one doing - you need to be able to trust the One “doing.”

ILLUST - Brad belaying me - “Trust me!”

He can be trusted because:

He is your place of safety.

Refuge

What is your safe place? What’s your go-to when things are difficult? Your go-to?

Self-pity. Depression. Anxiety. Aggression. Denial. Something external?

It’s a way to shelter from what is actually going on.

refuge (safety / passive)

This is the basis for Luther’s A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

ILLUST - kids playing tag - once they are ‘safe’ on base they relax.

He is your source of strength.

Strength

Strength (power / active)

You can be still because you recognize that the strength is not in you — never was to begin with.

You’ll never see what God can do if YOU keep doing the DOING.

What have we missed out on because we insisted on attempting things in our strength rather than through God’s?

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (ESV)

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

“

2 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV)

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

**You will never fix the world - you were never meant to.

** You will never fix your spouse - you were never meant to.

** You will never fix your kids — you were never meant to.

** You will never fix yourself — you were never meant to.

The power is not in you. The power is in God through Christ.

Hands off - be still

He is your sufficient help.

Help

“present” is Literally, “enough help”

Other places where this word is used describes the quantity being sufficient.

“troubles” = distress (Joseph in the pit)

We want to control the timing and flow of God’s help, but He is the one who controls it and he is enough.

Matthew 6:34 (ESV)

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Thanks Jesus!

Mercies are new every day.

Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV)

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

23 they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

We become ‘unstill’ and anxious when we try to set up tomorrows mercies today. But God didn’t promise mercies for tomorrow, He promised enough for today.

Whatever you will happen tomorrow God will provide enough help for.

This is good news! stop looking to tomorrow or six months from now, just look to today.

This means that

We can be still even when everything around us is not.

It may not feel that way, but if God is our safety, strength, and help, then

Psalm 46:2–3 (ESV)

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

** Be still for one minute**

How do you need to be still and transfer your trust to God?

Be still and know God fights for you (4-7)

He gives you His peace. (4)

See the change:

Psalm 46:3–4 (ESV)

3 though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

He gives you His presence. (5)

Psalm 46:5 (ESV)

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

When is the day most still? Right before dawn.

Be still enough you can get a good night’s sleep to wake up and see what God has done.

He gives you His power. (6-7)

Being still shows us that God is not

Psalm 46:6–7 (ESV)

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Exodus 14:13–14 (ESV)

13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

God is not against you in this — He’s for you,

*2 Kings 19*

Be still and know God will have all glory (8-11)

Psalm 46:8–9 (ESV)

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

Through all of time.

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

Through all the world.

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

As you are still and God is at work in you and through you, God’s glory is known throughout the world.

Isaiah 2:2 (ESV)

2 It shall come to pass in the latter days

that the mountain of the house of the Lord

shall be established as the highest of the mountains,

and shall be lifted up above the hills;

and all the nations shall flow to it,

We call ourselves children of God. Our friends, our neighbors know that we're followers of Jesus Christ. They're saying, "Yeah, right. You're a follower of God. Look what he did to you. What kind of a God do you have?"

Note the end of verse 10. God says this: "I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." He is jealous for his reputation, and his reputation rides on my problem. You can count on it that God will bring the problem to resolution in a way that glorifies his name and brings good to us. He will not waste our sorrows.

God will have His glory . . .

Through you.

Psalm 46:11 (ESV)

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

For those of us who claim Christ - we are children of God the God of Jacob.

So that God's reputation rides on our problems.

Ephesians 1:11–14 (ESV)

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

God’s glory is displayed through you as he works FOR you. His reputation is on the line and HE WILL BE EXALTED.

Only way this is possible is if we are in Christ.

Conclusion

Be Still, My Soul

Written by Kathrina von Schlegel

1 Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side;

bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

leave to your God to order and provide;

in ev'ry change he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: your best, your heav'nly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2 Be still, my soul: your God will undertake

to guide the future as he has the past.

Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;

all now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

his voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3 Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

and all is darkened in the vale of tears,

then shall you better know his love, his heart,

who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.

Be still, my soul: your Jesus can repay

from his own fullness all he takes away.

4 Be still, my soul: the hour is hast'ning on

when we shall be forever with the Lord,

when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Be still

Eyes on God

“Be Still” is always followed by “Carry On”

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