Being Still Is Still Something

“Be still and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10)

Many of us have a tendency to think that if we are not busily and frenetically engaged in doing something for the Lord, then we are doing nothing for Him. Not true! What about the times when we are to sit at the feet of our Savior and be still?

Being still is still something, and it is the something we all need much more than we think we do. Why? Because the natural man is addicted to activity. We think we must be like the Energizer Bunny and just keep going and going and going . . .

I want to encourage you today with two examples from Scripture which demonstrate that being still is still something.

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more.” (Exodus 14:13)

After having been freed from more than 400 years of bondage in Egypt, the Israelites were on the way toward the Promised Land. There was a major problem, however; Pharaoh had changed his mind about freeing the people and was furiously pursuing the Israelites, who were confronted by a seemingly impassable roadblock: the Red Sea. You know the story: after a bit of grumbling and complaining, the people of God obeyed the command to “stand still,” and they did indeed see and experience the salvation of the Lord as they walked through the Red Sea on dry ground and then saw the waters close over the Egyptian army and destroy it.

Being still was still something for the Israelites; it demonstrated their trust in and dependence on the Lord God. Now let’s look at the New Testament:

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and aside, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:38-42)

What a profound illustration of being still still being something! In fact, Jesus indicated that it is the best of things. Martha and her sister Mary were both busily engaged in preparing the meal for Jesus. Both women served the Lord and both loved the Lord. But Martha saw the meal as the most important thing, while Mary saw the Master as the most important thing. Martha was addicted to activity; Mary was adoring Jesus.

The message is clear. There is most definitely a time to work . . . but there are also those vitally important times for us to be still in the presence of our Savior. The question that you and I must ask ourselves is this: “Does my life reflect my understanding of the importance of both those times?”

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!