Our lives today are so fast-paced that we battle continual exhaustion, not from the physical labor our great-grandmothers endured but the mental gymnastics we perform to try to keep up with the never-ending demands. We’re constantly stimulated by social media, advertising, school programs, church events, and our own inner clamor. This frantic pace is exhausting!
Even our “Quiet Time” is anything but quiet, as we run through one spiritual task after another until we can check it off our list with satisfaction. Our bodies sit but our minds race, and the idea of stillness seems almost alien. There’s so much to do, and so little time. Surely God understands.
Learning to be quiet before the Lord is one of the greatest challenges we face today in our quest to enter in and experience true intimacy with Him. (James Goll)
But if we want to experience true intimacy with God, we must learn to quiet the clatter and enter His stillness. Take time to read through and meditate on the following verses as you seek stillness and rest in God’s presence.
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1
The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. Habakkuk 2:20
After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:12
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Psalm 131:1-2
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31
Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Job 37:14
Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Psalm 4:4
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5
I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say. Habakkuk 2:1
Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Isaiah 37:16
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17
And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. Exodus 14:13
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:29
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17
And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you. 1 Thes 4:11
But Joshua commanded the people, “You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.” Joshua 6:10
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:37
I waited patiently for theLord; he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
Tweet ThisFurther reading: Satisfy My Thirsty Soul by Linda Dillow and Disciplines of the Beautiful Women by Anne Ortlund
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