1 KINGS 19:1-12; PSALM 46:10
When the ophthalmologist told him to stay still, he did. He did not protest. Why? Because he was a famous eye surgeon who was trying to preserve his eyesight and needed his cooperation. It would have been foolish to ignore his instructions.
The dentist made sure she sat firmly on the chair and did not fall. He asked her to stay still while he checked her teeth. She did not protest. She knew that her well-being was linked to her obedience.
So why do we not cooperate so much on issues of spiritual stillness? God knows being still is so important that He has integrated it into the rhythm of life. Without being still we cannot see clearly – we begin to see ourselves as more important than we are, or we see challenges as too big.
After Elijah’s nerve-racking confrontation with Ahab and Jezebel, he was exhausted. God sent an angel to take care of him; during a quiet time the word of the Lord came to him. Elijah thought he was the only one doing God’s work. He had been so zealous (with very little time to be still) that he failed to grasp that 7,000 others had not bowed to Baal.
Some of us may be afraid of what will happen if we sit still and stop running around. But it may get worse if we refuse to rest. Without a time of stillness, we cannot be sane, mentally or physically. God heals while we rest.
Like our friends mentioned earlier, who needed to be still so that their eyes and teeth could be cared for, we all need a period of stillness so that God can keep our spiritual vision clear.
🙏 Lord, no matter how busy we get, help us make out time for resting at Your feet.
