Be Still And Know

Aug 19, 2006

Be Still and Know

Kathleen Maples

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.

That is from Psa_46:10. Consider the ramifications of this one verse. In the preceding verse he says he maketh wars to cease. I love how the Bible in Basic English puts this: "Be at peace in the knowledge that I am God, I will be lifted up among the nations, I will be honored through all the earth." Another interesting translation: CEV "Calm down and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me." In this hectic pace of life that plagues us all, I believe more than anything, God wants us to still ourselves before Him. To set aside time, to stop what we are doing, quiet ourselves before the Lord, Most High, and worship and wait. Enter His Presence with faith, worship, and gratitude, to calm ourselves, take authority over everything, every thought, feeling, attitude, that would exalt itself against the knowledge and truth of the Lord, and cast it down, as Paul instructed us to. (2Co_10:3-5) He doesn't want us to come to Him agitated, upset, or afraid. He wants us to acknowledge, to recognize, if you will that He alone is God. We need to be still before Him, fully aware that He is over all. In so doing, I believe God can and wants to manifest Himself, and His love to His people. Times are hard, chaotic, and confusing. Trouble is on all sides. Wars are being fought here and there. The enemy is pressuring God's children in their minds, their lives, through other people, through circumstances, through almost constant harassment in their minds, like never before. But God is a refuge-a place to shelter ourselves, to hide. He's a very present help. He's always there-He said He'd never leave us or forsake us...(Heb_13:5) If our flesh is crucified with Christ, and our carnal minds as chaff burnt up by the Holy Ghost fire, and we are filled with the Spirit of God, we won't be afraid when the earth quakes and mountains fall. No matter what problems come, or how loud the enemy roars, there is a river-the rivers of living water, the Lord said would flow out of our bellies, and refresh and strengthen those around us. Wash them-just as the Lord washed the disciples' feet, a stirred up saint of God can speak that Word of Life, and let that living water flow out of them and wash those around who receive hear. It will make us glad, that river, in the holy place, of the tabernacle, or temple of the Most High. Who is the tabernacle of the Lord? We are-who are indwelled by His Spirit. Where is the Holy Place? That secret place inside us where His Spirit dwells....the inner room in the very depths of our being indwelled by the Spirit and power of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the sweet Holy Ghost... Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

God is in the midst of her-she shall not be moved. It is written in Heb_1:3 he upholds all things by the Word of His power....that includes you, child of God. If you have hidden His precious Word in your heart, that Word of Life, that Word of His power

will hold you up, too. His Word is all you have to stand on and it is MORE THAN ENOUGH.... The heathen rage against God, against right-funny how in politics and the media RIGHT is almost a dirty word now. They say that word with such disdain and condescension. Too many people have thrown off restraint and live for self, and pleasure, and sneer at anything righteous. The kingdoms can't get along, the religious crowds of the world are full of hate and bitterness and envy. But all God has to do is speak, and the problem melts. You hear his still small voice in your inner man, and it just calms whatever is troubling your soul and fills you with fresh strength...HIS strength... The LORD is WITH US...He told Isaiah, you tell them... Psa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isa 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Whatever our problems are-if we turn it over to Him, give it to Him completely, then just behold what He does with it, he can cast that problem you think is a mountain into the sea as it were...out of your way. He goeth before His own sheep, leading them to pasture...remember..... Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

He maketh the wars to cease-stop your striving to please Him, to live holy, to make it, to overcome...commit yourself and all you have fully to HIM (and folks I am preaching to myself here) and trust HIM, for this is that which overcometh the world, even our faith... 1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

The warfare that goes on inside us, he can make it cease. He can give us rest. He promised and already gave us HIS peace... Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

We can keep it or let the enemy steal it from us through listening to his lies and considering what our eyes see too much....or we can embrace it as what it is.. a promise from the Lord Jesus Christ to us who believe and lay hold on it, take possession of it, and if we don't understand how to do that, ask for the understanding, ask Him to teach you how to apply what you read in His Word to your heart and life. Psa 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psa 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. Psa 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

He's more than willing to teach us-but we have to still ourselves before HIM, show up for class, if you will-show up for prayer, and Bible Study-and always defer to HIM. Don't sit down with your Bible and try to read it on your own. Invite, no WELCOME HIM, to come and break that bread of life with you. He said, come........ Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mat 11:29 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. Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.