Are you always rushing around - never taking the time to slow down and hear what the Lord has to say? He has a message for you today. He wants you to take time to consider it.
God is calling His people this day to "Stand still."
Which of us will listen?
What are some of the things that He is wanting to speak?
The Scriptures offer us several examples -
1. What the Lord Commands Concerning You And Your Family
Numbers 9:8 - "And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you."
God wants to reveal to us His mind on the matters concerning us. But in order to know this, we must take time to consider - to ask counsel at His mouth. We cannot determine the "way to take" according to our own fancies or affections. Every circumstance must be weighed in the light of His Holy Word. That takes time.
2. The Specific Word Of Direction Concerning You
1 Samuel 9:27 - "And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us,(and he passed on) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God."
In order to hear the specific word of direction for us individually, oftentimes, we have to separate ourselves from others and "stand still" before God in order to receive His counsel, design, and plan for our lives.
Have you done that?
If not, could that be the reason why you are still in confusion and doubt as far as what to do and which way to go?
3. His Past Record
1 Samuel 12:7 - "Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which He did to you and to your fathers."
Many times, God sends His servants with a word of instruction - a word to keep us in the way of duty. But if we are always in a hurry - worrying about the cares of life - we can miss the message which He is trying to convey to us..
You may be going through a "rough time" right now. God wants you to stop everything that you are doing to consider "all the righteous acts of the LORD" - all His past favors that He bestowed on you and your family. This is your key in making it to the next level.
4. His Miraculous Power To Perform Any Given Task
Job 37:14 - "Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God."
Is your Faith wavering? Are you weary in well-doing? Are you perplexed over all that has happened to you over the past few months?
Then God is saying to you to "Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God."
Stop trying to figure things out on your own - stop trying to solve your own problems.
The Lord has the answer. It is found in His Almighty Power.
But you will never realize it until you stop everything that you are doing to examine and weigh - separately and collectively - "the wondrous works of God."
God has been speaking, but have you been listening? Have you taken the time to consider what He is saying? He desires to give you insight into His mighty acts of Providence - to share His secrets with you - to uncover the reason behind every cause as well as the effects to come.
5. The Awful Consequences Of Sin
Psalm 4:4 - "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still."
Daily, so many are rushing - headlong - down the road to destruction.
If only they had taken the time to consider their actions and the consequences thereof. If so, many would have changed their ways or turned around.
One good remedy of sin is to deeply consider its subject.
We must be moved, disturbed, disquieted, and "stand in awe" while we reflect on the particular course that we are pursuing and its end. We must take time to consider and fear and "commune" with our own hearts about the matter. We cannot trust the counsel of our heads, wills, or passions.
We must choose a solitary time - "commune with your own heart upon your bed" - a time when we are withdrawn from the world and its various distractions and promptings.
The Holy Spirit calls us to "be still" - be dumb, hold our peace, or compose ourselves into a serious frame - so that we may examine the day's events and their outcomes. How did we handle each situation that was presented before us? Did we operate in the flesh or in the Spirit?
This silent deliberation aids us in always keeping up a holy reverence for the glory and majesty of God as well as a holy dread of His wrath and curse.
6. God's Total Control Over All
Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Are you facing troubles and persecutions because of your righteous stand? Are you under attack from the enemy of your souls for your holy walk?
God is calling His people as well as His enemies to "be still, and know that I am God."
He commands His people to be calm - devoid of all anxiety, worry, and care...tremble no more...and leave all matters with Him. He assures them that He will intervene with His defense.
His enemies - on the other hand - are to threaten no more - knowing that He is infinitely above them and too hard for them. In spite of their rage and malice, He will be exalted in their midst. Despite the fact that they set themselves up to do their own will, God will have His way.
7. His Judgments And Wrath In The Land
Habakkuk 2:20 - "But the LORD is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him."
Here the command is given for all of the earth to "keep silence" before the Lord - not in worship but in reflection of His Mighty Judgments. All are called to be dumb - not dare open their mouths - in the presence of such an Awesome and Sovereign God Who will fulfill all that He has promised or threatened.
Let all men consider the terrible state of those who oppose such a Holy God. He will have no rivals nor will He share His glory with another. He will cover all of His opposers with shame and silence the fury of His people's oppressors.
It is good for all to stop everything and reflect on the evil consequences of disobedience, stubbornness, or hardness of heart toward such a God. May all heed His commands with utmost respect and obey with the promptest obedience.
Are you always "on the run"?
Isn't it time that you stop everything to hear what God the Lord is saying?
The command is going forth to "Stand still."
"Hear what the LORD" is commanding.
Receive His Word for the situation that you are presently facing.
Consider all His "righteous acts."
Take account of His "wondrous works."
Stop and examine the course that your life is taking.
Repent of all wrongdoing.
Cast all of your cares upon Him.
Know that all those who oppose Him will face His wrath and judgment.
Consequently, serve Him "with fear"(Psalm 2:11)and obey His commands.
God is talking to you.
Are you "still" enough to hear Him?
Don't provoke Him to have to slow you down in order to get His message!
Hear and fear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the churches.
Copyright 2006 by Connie Giordano
