Be Still and Know

Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us.

Psalm 46:10-11

Be still: But Lord, You know how many things I have to do this time of year. You actually want me to set aside time every morning to kneel before You and listen to You through Your Word? How will everything get done?

Be still: Are you saying that You want more than just my mornings? You want me to go through my day with stillness in my soul and an awareness of You? How can I do that amidst the noise and distractions?

Be still and know that I am God: OK, Lord, I understand. The only way I can know You more intimately is by purposefully being still before You. Keep me determined to be still inwardly throughout my day so I catch glimpses of Your character and ways.

I will be exalted: The more I come to know You, the more I long to exalt You. Be exalted in and through me. May Your praise be ever on my lips. May I declare Your greatness to the next generation.

Then I will know and others will know…

The Lord Almighty is with us: What an awe-inspiring thought—God with us! Thank You, Jesus, that You loved us enough to dwell among us. You, who in very nature are God, chose to set aside the privileges of deity. You took on the nature of a servant and became human. You humbled Yourself, lived obediently and died obediently on a cross. Therefore God has exalted You to the highest place and has given You the name above every name. Every knee will bow; every tongue will confess that You, Jesus, are Lord—all to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2)  

Lord, continue to teach me that being still before You leads to knowing You. Knowing You leads to exalting You, which leads to an awareness that You are with us!

Jan Burkhart