Be Still and Draw Near

by Wayne Derry

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)  //  “Be still, and know that I am God.” 

Our world is constantly moving at a crazy rate and is always fighting for our focus in one way or another. We rarely have a moment when our lives aren’t packed, our minds aren’t plagued with thought after thought, or our hearts aren’t overwhelmed with something.

The craziness can easily take over our need to sit and deeply meet with God. 

This Psalm is here to not let us forget to be still. This isn’t only an invitation to put a stop to our physical life but a draw for us to enter a space of quietness in our hearts and minds before God.

Our need for this stillness is the first step to truly being still. When the winds stop during a storm, you notice the seas become calm. It’s the same with us when there is a storm in our minds and hearts, and the waves are crashing. We must find the calm to our storm in Jesus. 

For us to be able to truly look inwards and assess our priorities, we need to slow down. Doing this allows us to draw near to the Savior.

When we pull away from the noise in our minds, it allows us to hear what He is speaking more clearly, what He might be convicting us of, and where He may be pushing us towards.

Take a breath, and let it be a deep one. Let’s put aside the distractions and all the things and allow God to draw close and do a work in us. When we are still, we can see what we need to confess and lay down at His feet. In that stillness, we can lean on Him. 

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” Trust comes from stillness. That trust will grow as long as we continue to stay in the presence of God.

This isn’t something that happens by accident; it requires work. To have closeness with Jesus, we need to be intentional in our efforts. We need to set aside time daily to pray, reflect, dive into scripture, and rest in His presence.

This should be a sacred time, a time that pulls us away from the business of life and allows us to reconnect and draw closer to our Savior.

We are constantly being pulled in so many directions throughout the day. This pulls us away from the stillness that comes from Jesus. If we let it, the world around us can fill our every minute with noise and chaos.

But when we put our foot down and decide to go at a slower pace, be quiet, and just be with Jesus, our souls can be refreshed. In the nearness, we find clarity and hope, and we are strengthened.

So today, let’s heed the call to be still and draw near. Embrace the beauty of slowing down and invite Jesus into your mess and chaos. Let this intentional stillness be your refuge.

This is a time to know God more deeply. In doing so, we are reminded that He is always in control, inviting us to trust Him with each day.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for Your desire to be with me. Help me be still and truly know that you are God. I pray that Your voice won’t be drowned out by the noise and chaos of my life. I yearn for a closeness with You that I have never experienced yet. Help me to abide in You daily. Amen.