“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” —Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
“… He leads me beside the still waters.” —Psalm 23:2 (NKJV)
“Be still, and know that I am God…” —Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)
Yahweh Shalom — “the Lord Is Peace” (Judges 6:24) — revealed in Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), has provided a path of peace for us. By the shed blood of His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Jesus reconciled us with our heavenly Father. Our Good Shepherd promises to lead us beside still waters to drink in His peace. However, He leaves the choice with us to obediently follow Him there.
“Still,” a recently released song by country music artist Hillary Scott, helps to draw my spirit into that secret place of inner stillness. The lyrics speak of resting in His promises and being still before the God who answers our prayers even before we ask.
Jesus spent daily solitary time with His Father and realized that He needed total dependence on the Father for continual refreshment. When we delight daily in quiet moments of solitude with Immanuel — “God With Us” (Matthew 1:23) — He awakens within us His abiding presence and speaks His peace over us. Stormy seasons are inevitable in life, even as Christ-followers. Yet, Jesus has the power to rescue us by speaking, “Peace, be still!” (Mark 4:39)
Lately, I’ve been heavily burdened to be on my knees in prayer for loved ones who are going through difficult days. Knowing He is God alone and that He profoundly cares for me and my loved ones has calmed my spirit. To help me keep my eyes fixed on Him, I stop for selahs with my Savior throughout each day. Having seen His goodness and faithfulness throughout my life, I’m able to entrust every detail to Him through prayer. Finally stilled, resting in His presence, having completely relinquished my burdens to Him with unshaken confidence, I’m able to listen to the still, small whispers of His grace and enjoy His promise to keep me in His perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3)
Using the Apostle Paul’s words, my Christmas prayer for you is, “Now may the LORD of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The LORD be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
Our God Hears,
Barb Wibling