The Benefits of Stillness (Psa. 46:10)

"Cease striving and know that I am God..." (Psa. 46:10, NASB).  The King James reads, "Be still, and know that I am God..."

Stillness seems counterproductive.

• It seems counterproductive to our modern pace of life.  Life is busy and is lived at a fast pace.  Who wants to slow down and be still?  That's exactly what we're directed to do.
• It seems counterproductive to our common understanding of prayer.  For most people, prayer is asking of God and getting from God.  If we're going to be still, that rules out talking.  That means we can't ask anything.

The world says, "don't just stand there; do something."  In Psalm 46:10 God invites us, "Don't always be doing or saying something; just sit there."  Yes, that can be hard.

Consider the benefits of stillness.

• Stillness stifles selfishness by teaching us to wait on God.  We learn contentment and delayed gratification.
• Stillness fosters dependency by positioning us to trust God.  We must wait for God's will to be done God's way in God's time.  It never goes well with us when we force things.  Being still acknowledges God is in control.
• Stillness promotes worship by stirring us to prioritize God.  God, not his gifts.  Being still puts our focus on God the Person.  We're seeking Him, not an answer or a provision.  We don't want anything from Him, only to enjoy Him.
• Stillness facilitates growth by helping us to know God.  We knew God was God before we became still.  This knowledge we're to gain is more than intellectual or theological.  This knowledge is experiential.  Some things must be gotten directly from the source.  When we choose stillness, we're waiting for a direct download from God.