Be Still My Soul - Page CXVI

scripture and prayer reflection

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Lyrics

Be still, my soul, the Lord is on your side

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain

Leave to your God to order and provide

In every change He will remain

Be still, my soul, your God will undertake

To guide the future as in ages past

Your hope, your mind, your will let nothing shake

All now mysterious shall be bright

Be still, my soul, the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone

Sorrows forgot, love's joys restored

Be still my soul, Be still my soul

And praise Him

Psalm 46:1-11

1 God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psalm 127:1-2

1 Unless the Lord builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

2 It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Reflection

Being still is a remarkably challenging thing to do at this time in our culture. Particularly in my own context of Southern California, people live lives filled to the brim with activity. Slowing down is often undervalued, and stopping long enough to be still may feel like a waste of time. We fill dead space with TV and other entertainment, afraid to feel the emptiness of boredom if we pause too long.

Even though I understand the value of slowing down to be present with God, myself, and others, it can still be so easy to let the inner mental hurry rush on, even if my body pauses to sit quietly. Grocery lists, the day’s schedule, people to call, things I’m looking forward to, circumstances I’m anxious about - all sorts of thoughts start to crowd in to take center stage. At times even when I try to slow down, I feel pressure to hurry up and slow down now because in five minutes daily life tasks will be off and running again, and the busyness and hurry of that prevents any real internal stillness.

What is the point of being still with God? What makes it valuable, rather than a waste of precious time? I think a part of its value lies in the anchoring of our hearts and hopes in God in stillness. When God instructs His people to be still, it often comes with a promise that He will act on their behalf (for example, Ex 14:14). We rush around with our busy lives trying to make things happen - to ensure our safety and comfort, to take care of people we love, to excel in work or hobbies or parenting or _________.

Stillness, like the practice of keeping a sabbath, helps us to remember this. Sabbath was designed that Israel would rest, trusting that God would provide for them even though they were not out working the fields or taking care of their livestock. It is a weekly reminder that it is God who provides and cares for us, not ourselves by our own effort. We are stewards of His creation, but we are not God. We are not ultimately in control.

Take some time to sit in stillness with God. There is no agenda for this time other than to remember and notice that He is with you. If thoughts crowd in, consider briefly jotting them down so that you can set them aside and return to them later. As you find your mind wandering, gently draw your attention back to His presence with you. What comes up in the stillness - distraction, boredom, restlessness, calm, peace? What is it about being still that draws that up in you? Talk with God about what comes up.