What Does it Mean When God Tells Us to "Be Still"?
“Fear not, stand firm; the LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still. ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ ” (Exodus 14:13,14; Psalm 46:10). What does it mean to “be still” in God’s presence? Is it sitting cross-legged on top of a secluded mountain, with nothing around but rocks and wind and a few bald eagles soaring overhead? Or perhaps it’s kneeling quietly in a darkened pew, the waxed scent past prayers and ancient incense floating around you in peaceful, blessed silence. Certainly to “be still” in God can mean those things. Yet how often do you visit a hermit-like mountaintop, or even a quiet pew in an empty church? Not often, most likely—at least, not if you’re anything like me. I wish I could do more of that stuff, but sadly I have bills to pay and people to respond to and deadlines to meet. Spending time in quiet seclusion, just us and God, is certainly essential to a healthy prayer life (yes, that means no cell phones allowed). However, to “be still” means so m...