Being still and Waiting on God.
In this blog post, we will explore:
- the importance of being still before before God
- ways to cultivate this practice in our lives. Let’s start by taking a look at
1 Kings 19: 11,
” The Lord said to go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, For the Lord is about to pass by then the great and powerful wind toward the mountain’s part, and shadow the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind was the earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came afire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. God’s voice was in that gentle whisper”
God began speaking to Elijah, through one of the most painful seasons of his life.
Seeing how the Bible tells us that our God is the same yesterday and today and forever, ( Hebrews 4:13) it’s more than fair to say that God’s voice is still speaking in the whisper to us today.
The Importance of Waiting on God
If we do not learn how to quiet the noise and discipline ourselves to focus our hearts and our minds on Christ, we can miss the sound of His voice in the times that we need it the most as well.
Be still before the Lord and patiently wait on him.
The concept of waiting on God is mentioned well over 50 times in Scripture, highlighting just how valuable this skill is.
The apostles waited on God for the promised Holy Spirit, and Esther prayed and waited before approaching the king. These examples show that through stillness, we can experience a deeper understanding of God’s love.
I still remember the season when I learned the art of being still. As I quieted my heart and mind, I felt the tangible presence of God in the room, and I began to understand His love in a more personal way. Previously, my prayers had been one-sided, but learning to be still allowed me to know God and recognize His voice.
Practicing how to be still before God during prayer, means setting aside our agenda and simply sitting quietly before Him. Eagerly expecting His voice to speak at any given moment. This active seeking, while leaning in and looking for His leading and promptings, deepens our connection with Him.
How to Be Still Before God
The first thing you want to do is, pray. Spend some time praising God and casting your cares upon Him. This important step gets our mind off of the world and on Christ.
Next, make intentional time to sit and quietly listen. When you are first starting out it is helpful to set a timer for at least five minutes. Use this time to be silent before God.
Remember that being still is not just about physical motionlessness; it also involves quieting the mind. Discipline your mind to stay focused on God during, even when you do not immediately feel Him moving or hear His voice.
Sitting in silence can feel kind of awkward at first. Avoid the temptation to fill the silence with more words; instead, embrace the discomfort of waiting and allow God to work in the stillness.
I also encourage you to keep a journal and pen nearby during these moments of silence. When the time is up, write down any promptings or impressions you feel from God. Journaling helps solidify the connection and allows you to reflect on God’s voice in a life-changing way.
By practicing the discipline of being still before God, we create space to know Him intimately and discern His voice amidst the noise of our lives. Let us prioritize this spiritual practice and open our hearts and minds to hear the gentle whispers of God.
Conclusion
I love the definition of be still in Hebrew, meaning sink, relax. God’s desire for us to rest in him. There is no need to rush. Make some time this week sink into the presence of your Savior.
Being Still Bible Verses
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalms 46:10 NKJV
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.”
Psalms 37:7 NKJV
“It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:26 NKJV
“but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 CSB
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”
Psalms 23:2-3 NKJV
““But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.””
Habakkuk 2:20 NKJV
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!”
Psalms 27:14 NKJV
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.”
Psalms 62:5-6 NKJV
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
James 5:7-8 NKJV
“Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like a weaned child.”
Psalms 131:2 CSB
