Standing Still
By Shirrell Wells | Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
Written by Shirrell Wells
With every new year we tend to stop and reflect on the past, on victories, mistakes, failures, hopes, dreams, disappointments and determine in our heart that the new year will be better than the last, it is new; a chance to start over. We take a deep breath and plunge into January 2. Our lives are so hectic we barely have a chance to breathe; let alone take ten minutes out of our schedules just to talk to our heavenly Father. The pages of our Bibles are rarely open, because who has time to read? And the New Year suddenly takes on the same costume of the last, perhaps even a little more hectic and stifling.
God has been directing me into a place I will call “Standing still”. There are many passages where God reminds us to be quiet, to stand, to be still, why? Because when we actually do this, we take ourselves out of the way and God can move for us. He can place us, he can speak to and for us; He can actually use us!
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” –Psalms 46:1
When life becomes overwhelming with hurt, disappointment and trials, it would really be a benefit to us if we could remember that there is a place we can run to that will protect us, nourish us, give us strength and courage, and that is right into the safety of God’s arms!
“Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Thought its water roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.” –Psalms 46:2-5
Fear disarms us of faith, and without faith it is impossible to please God. But how do we stop fear of that paralyzing terror of what is known, or even unknown; the noise of our own imaginations screaming to be heard, the voices of others proclaiming catastrophe, and speaking failure into our lives. God wants us to KNOW that no matter what is going on around us, no matter what the circumstances we find ourselves in, no matter where we are He is in control. He is in to the midst of us. HE LIVES, he dwells, IN us. If we can really get a hold of that reality; that God LIVES in us, what could really come against us and succeed?
“The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” –Psalms 46:6-7
It really doesn’t matter how fierce an enemy, how strong and seemingly insurmountable a circumstance is, chaos surrounding you like a storm when God speaks to you and into your life those things must fall away, and melt like wax IF we have faith and we seek Him as our refuge!
When God speaks everything else seems to melt away in comparison. Only we must hear Him in order for us to receive the benefit of His voice in our life! How? By taking a deep breath, calming our spirit, and sitting still so that He can speak. Think about it. Can you really talk effectively to someone who is jumping up and down, spewing off all their thoughts, fears, concerns, and not really listening to what you have to say? It’s the same with the Father; we have to LISTEN in order to hear. He speaks to us many ways; through His written word, He speaks to our hearts, our minds, through others. But we must be willing to LISTEN.
“Come; behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth: The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.” –Psalms 46:8-11
God wants to work wonders and miracles in our lives. This is a call to look back in history how God has destroyed cities, kingdoms, nations, for the sake of His own. He can bring peace where peace seems like just a wild dream. He can destroy the weapons of enemies; and simply cut off their resource to harm you. Only he wants us to BE STILL, to calm our hearts and minds, to listen to His voice, and realize that HE is God, and He has a plan and purpose for our lives! Plans to prosper you, and never harm you. He is your hope and refuge.
My resolution this year is to learn to stand in the midst of chaos, and be still, to be silent and let God move in my behalf. The voice of defeat, is a loss of faith, the sound of murmuring and complaining cuts off the blessings God has in store for us. I will bless the Lord at all times, and magnify His holy name. I will trust and believe that the word of my God is exalted in my life. Amen
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