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

If you read the whole chapter of Psalm 46, it implies that there is war and battle going on. Although the Psalmist may be talking about an actual physical war and battle, we also experience our challenges and crises as battles. A type of war within ourselves.

I feel like I’m in a battle when I become busy with serving, working, worrying, and trying to ‘figure things out’. I feel stressed, lack direction and focus. I fail to take time to be still and rest in Him.

The word still in Hebrew means “to slacken, let down, or cease.” When we cease the battle within us, we come to rest. How do we do that? We turn our focus on Him and seek His presence, His shelter.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

How often do we seek God’s presence?

We tend to recognize that we NEED His presence more when we have a big challenge or crisis in our life. That’s usually when we turn our focus on Him, needing His help and guidance. But He wants us to seek Him and recognize His presence at all times, not just when we are in ‘crisis mode’.

As long as we are busy ‘doing life’, we focus on everything but God. It’s only when we stop our minds, turn our focus on Him, and rest in Him that we can know His presence and receive from Him, and truly begin to live.

What are a few things we can receive from God when we rest in Him? Clarity, peace, direction, calmness, trust, encouragement, patience and more. Resting in God can also bring rejuvenation. It’s easy to get Spiritually and emotionally drained when we are continually busy.

Resting in God doesn’t mean we have a free ticket for ‘laziness’. As children of God, we have work to do in His Kingdom here on Earth.

What battles are you fighting that you need to cease?

When was the last time that you remember truly seeking God’s presence?