The phrase “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, NKJV) is a powerful reminder of the sovereignty and majesty of God and the importance of finding rest and peace in Him. With as much focus as we place on war and fighting sin, we need to also be aware of the need for recovery and rest as well. We war against the flesh, and go to war for God, but we also need to be recuperated enough to return to that war ready to fight another day.
Through the technique “Be still”, we can recuperate the energy spent in war.
This verse encourages us to set aside our own fears, worries, and concerns, and to trust in God’s goodness, wisdom, and power. It can be easy to lose sight of God and to become overwhelmed by the demands of daily life, or to think of them as more important and demanding than they are. It can be very easy to become saturated in the daily ups and downs and the warfare “without and within” as the old church hymn says. However, this verse reminds us that we can find rest and peace in God by taking time to be still and to focus on Him.
There are several other verses in the Bible that speak to the importance of finding rest and peace in God.
For example, Psalm 62:5-6 (NKJV) states: “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.”
This verse encourages us to trust in God and to find our strength and hope in Him, rather than in our own abilities or circumstances. Not that we should never exert effort and try to work to improve our circumstances, but that we place our strength in God first, and then take action second. God’s power never excuses us from action, but it gives us power and strength through this process of life.
Another verse that speaks to the importance of finding rest and peace in God is Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV), which says: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
This verse reminds us that God is a loving and compassionate Savior who is willing to bear the burden of our troubles and is able to give us rest. He as the Commander of the army of God [Joshua 5:13-15] is both able to lead us to war and strengthen us when we need rest.
There are several practical tips for the application of Psalm 46:10 and other verses that speak to the importance of finding rest and peace in God. Some of these tips include:
I – Set aside time for quiet and solitude
One way to find rest and peace in God is to set aside time each day for quiet and solitude. This might involve setting aside a few minutes to sit in silence, to pray, or to meditate on God’s word. Silence is the key. Leave your distractions in another place. Go somewhere where you have no choice but to concentrate on God. Taking time to be still and to focus on God can help to calm the mind and to bring a sense of peace and clarity.
II – Practice gratitude
Another way to find rest and peace in God is to practice gratitude. This might involve taking time each day to reflect on the blessings and gifts that God has given us, and to express thankfulness for these things. Focusing on the positive aspects of our lives and thanking God for them can help to shift our perspective and to find peace and contentment in Him. As we have mentioned before, thankfulness is one of the key ingredients in the recipe for peace [Phil 4:6-7]
The phrase “Be still and know that I am God” is a powerful reminder of the importance of finding rest and peace in God. By setting aside time for quiet and solitude, and practicing gratitude, we can draw closer to God and find peace and rest in Him.
