Stillness.

By J.C.Metcalfe. 

“Be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46 v10). 

What does “Be still” or ‘stillness’ in the Bible mean? F.B.Meyer expressed a truth, which we all acknowledge in theory but often fail to follow in practice, when he said, “We must cultivate the habit of stillness in our lives if we would detect and know God.” 

Stillness means ‘Letting go’.

In Psalm 46 v10, the meaning of the Hebrew word, translated ‘be still’ in many translations, is ‘to cause to fall . . . to let go’. This whole Psalm is a comparison of the might of God with all other power. The strength of the hills and the depths of the sea, the wrath of the storm and the terrors of the earthquake, all give way before the might of God. The rage of the heathen and the uprisings of kingdoms are nothing before Him. When He works none can oppose. “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Therefore, “Be still”. Drop every object of fear or confidence, and in this way you will learn something of His greatness. This is no passive idea leading to laziness but a summons to lay aside every other consideration and concentrate mind and will on God Himself.

This word is also found in Psalm 37 v8, where it is sometimes translated as “refrain from anger”. This Psalm visualizes a man confronted with the widespread evil of his day and the apparently unassailable position of the wicked. After several heartening calls to “trust in the Lord”, “take delight in the Lord”, “commit all to the Lord”, and “rest in the Lord”, comes the exhortation, “Refrain from anger . . . ”. Let go the feelings of resentment at apparent injustice. Break down the grip of cynicism which would gain dominion over you. God has all in hand and His judgment on sin is certain. 

In Exodus 5 v8 and v17 our word has the force of idleness. Pharaoh accuses the people of ‘downing tools’. He says, “They are lazy, that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God’ ”. The very same accusation is aimed at us whenever the suggestion is made that we should lay aside less important matters, even matters relating to Christian service, and wait on God for His guidance and blessing. The last verse of an old hymn should be taken to heart in this day of human self-sufficiency:

“Cast your daily ‘doing’ down, down at Jesus’ feet.

Stand in Him, in Him alone, gloriously complete.”

Taking another passage we find our word in Job 27 v6. Here Job has been stirred to his depths by Bildad’s accusation of hypocrisy, and cries, “My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go . . .”. He is going to maintain his integrity against all comers. It is something he is hugging to himself and delighting in. He resents anything that would disturb his confidence in himself and will not listen to any suggestion that all is not well with him. This gives us yet another sidelight on the idea of ‘stillness’. It is the determination at all costs to hold on to God Himself and to deny any power over us, to either storms without or fears within. This presents a negative thought of defending something of which others are planning to rob us. We will not let go. Proverbs 4 v13, on the other hand, leads us to a positive entry into ‘stillness’. “Hold on to instruction, do not let her go; guard her well, for she is your life”. The whole verse vibrates with effort. A strong hold is to be kept on instruction and in the same way we are to keep on turning first and only to God. Nothing must be allowed to keep us away from Him.

The Song of Solomon provides us with a beautiful use of the word. “The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. ‘Have you seen the one my heart loves?’ Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go” (Song of Solomon 3 v3-4). Fear, frustration and insecurity are driven away by the presence of her lover and she clings to him, refusing to be moved out of the ‘stillness’ of his nearness.

This is surely a lovely picture of obedience to the call, “Be still". The solution to every problem is found in a Person, and we dare not let go for an instant of the blessed quietness which His presence gives. He will abide with us, but ours is no passive part in this rest of stillness. We cling and refuse to look away to anyone or anything else.

Stillness means ‘Reverent attention’.

Ezekiel 1 v24-25 gives us yet another line of thought. Speaking of the living creatures before the throne of God, the prophet says, "When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, . . . When they stood, they lowered their wings. Then there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood with lowered wings". Bishop Ellicott says of this verse, “It seems . . . to convey the idea of a fresh act of reverence towards the majesty above. When the Voice was heard the Cherubim stood still, the mighty sounds of their going were hushed and their wings fell motionless, all in the attitude of reverent attention.” These final words gripped me. ‘Stillness’ is ‘the attitude of reverent attention'. All noise, bustle and activity are stilled while God reveals Himself and makes His will known. All our attention directed towards Him so that we may follow His every wish, and discover in all circumstances what He will do. The noise of our own busyness hushed, we begin to understand and take our rightful place before the throne as children of the Great King. “Now we who have believed enter that rest" (Heb. 4 v3).

In Judges 8 v3, our word is rendered ‘subsided’. “At this, their resentment against him subsided.” The men of Ephraim were angry with Gideon because they felt slighted by the fact that he had won a great victory without their help. Such feelings always mean upheaval, disturbance and rising passions. Gideon's soft answer changed this and peace was restored. It is only too possible for us to harbour feelings of resentment even against God, and what inner disturbance results from such an attitude. Until we deliberately enter the stillness of the acceptance of His will we live in chaos. Only as we lay aside rebellion, and place our confidence in Him and in His love for us, are we obeying the command “Be still”, and we gain an understanding of the God of deliverances we could know in no other way. Then we shall be in a position to help others.

Stillness means ‘Stopping to listen’.

The thought of stopping to listen emerges in 1 Samuel 15 v16. Saul has returned from battle. He and the people are flushed with victory, but God has been disobeyed and the uncompromising figure of Samuel casts an unexpected gloom over proceedings. “ ‘Stop!’ Samuel said to Saul. ‘Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.’ ” A stillness is thus born in which the unimportant things fade into the background and in the newly created hush God pronounces judgment. There come times in all our lives when we stand alone at the bar of God’s justice.

His word leaves us without excuse. We see our sin in its true colours, and we do well at such times to ‘be still’. We need to set aside the clamour of our excuse-making and to humble ourselves before God. We shall then see the wonder of His mercy. David witnessed this grace on the occasion of his sin in numbering Israel. This is found in 2 Samuel 24, when David is offered a choice of punishment, he says, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercy is great" (v14). Then the word is used in verse 16, “When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, ‘Enough! withdraw your hand.’” Can you imagine the relief? The plague that had been raging is stilled. Quiet takes the place of dread and anguish. The angel’s sword is sheathed and judgment is stayed. What a picture of our condition. The Cross is for us the stay of judgment. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8 v1). We may be in quietness, resting on the finished work of Christ and find ourselves launched into that new and wonderful life where “Christ is all, and is in all” (Col. 3 v11).

Stillness means ‘Stand still . . . and see’.

Another striking picture of this God-given way of life is given in Exodus 14. The children of Israel were apparently caught in a trap. Before them was the Red Sea and behind them the armies of Egypt. “They said to Moses, Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?" (v11). Listen to what Moses said, “ ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.’ ” (v13-14). Then followed the stillness of a quiet orderly forward march, and the people saw God's triumph. Bishop Ellicott comments, ‘There are times when all our strength must be ‘in quietness and confidence’ (Is. 30 v15). . . there are occasions when we can do nothing, when all must be left to Him (see 2 Chronicles 20 v17). Under these circumstances our duty and our true wisdom is to wait patiently, quietly, courageously’. In this way we get to know God, and Christian character is formed. God at times allows events to occur which leave us no option but to wait quietly for Him, or be overwhelmed. 

The word used in the Old Testament is only used twice in the New Testament. The meaning is given as: ‘to be unemployed, at leisure, to devote ourselves utterly, to be unoccupied, empty’. It is used in 1 Corinthians 7 v5, “Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent . . . so that you may devote yourselves to prayer.” The thought is that for a time the normal relationships of married life are suspended in order that nothing may be allowed to interfere with a special time set apart for prayer. When God says, “Be still”, He means that we are to turn away from all that would distract, from every other object of reliance, and look only to Him. There are times when we have to say ‘No’ and shut the door against all the voices, alluring or vindictive, which seek to force themselves on us, and reverently to ‘let down our wings’, and wait upon Him. 

The indwelling Christ 

In Matthew 12 v43-45, the story is told of the unclean spirit, which when turned out of its house, is pictured as seeking rest and finding none. “Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left’. When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order” (v44). Here is a contrast to our other passages, but one from which we may learn. The house is empty, stillness prevails, but there is no one to guard or care for it. It stands ready for its old owner, who is not slow to return. Our hearts, minds and wills must never be left empty. That way lies extreme peril. If we are born again we are now the official residence of the King, and we need to be quite sure that He reigns within. Paul writes, "Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1 v27). Our guarantee of safety, our pledge of victory, our earnest of eternal life in the indwelling of the Christ by His Spirit.

Paul prayed for the Ephesian Christians, “That out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Eph. 3 v16-17). In this glorious indwelling lies the secret of all blessedness. We need to be still before Him, laying before Him the promises of His Word and watching Him make them real in life and experience. We cannot afford to be blankly passive. 

Look again at the Cherubim. Their ‘goings’ were stilled and a reverent, intense concentration on His will occupied them. In Ezekiel 1 v25 - 28 we read, “Then there came a voice . . . over their heads was what looked like a throne . . . on the throne was a figure like that of a man . . . and brilliant light surrounded Him . . . the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking”. The prophet has been carried into the worship of heaven itself and is overwhelmed by the majesty and glory of God. Could there be a more fitting commentary on our text? In this way there comes to us the glorious vision that is the essential prelude to any effective ministry. God commissions His ambassadors Himself, and for this He summons them to His audience chamber to hear His voice and gaze upon the revelation of the exalted Saviour, the God-Man in the midst of the throne.

“Be still” He says, “and know that I am God". Armed with such knowledge what have we to fear?  “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

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