• Be Still, Wait for the LORD

Our world is troubled. War, disease, natural disasters and discord bombard us every day.

We yearn for tranquility, peace, stillness, and love. Perhaps like me, you experience some moments of peace, especially when sitting by a mountain lake, or watching a baby sleep. Then back into the real world, those peaceful feelings flee. Life is busy. Demands on our time and attention rush back. We're assaulted by news reports. We think we have to hustle or be left behind. Our harassed minds and hurried pace are at war with inner peace.

Human nature hasn't changed since King David's time (~1000 BC.) He wrote about our need for inner peace:

Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

Psalm 37:7—9 [NRSV]New Revised Standard Version Bible by National Council of Churches USA, 1989

The LORD is in charge of the world, not us. Our anger and fretting do not solve anything. The first problem with all these negative emotions is the damage it does is to our own souls. Then, because we are damaged, we are more likely to damage others.

Waiting for the LORD can be difficult. We want to rush on ahead and do something. If we run ahead, with only our own understanding, we often fail. The prophet Isaiah (~800 BC) put it this way:

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28—31 [NRSV]New Revised Standard Version Bible by National Council of Churches USA, 1989

If we wait for the LORD to act, rather than rushing to solve a problem by ourselves, He gives us the ability to do the part He assigns to us. It is less tiring to do things God's way. If we don't wait, if we run out ahead thinking we can fix our own problems, we are likely to make the situation worse, wear ourselves out, and maybe even give up. We may end up by not doing God's will at all, but only our own. (see Known by God?^<1>)

One expert on finding inner peace in the midst of unsettling circumstances is the apostle Paul. He traveled over a large part of the Roman empire preaching and planting churches. He was stoned and left for dead; was chased out of town by mobs; was imprisoned multiple times; and finally was executed by the Romans (~65 AD.) Yet Paul wrote from prison in Rome:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:4—8 [NRSV]New Revised Standard Version Bible by National Council of Churches USA, 1989

Where did Paul get the energy to keep going? How did he maintain his joy and peace in the midst of all that trouble? Was he a super–man? No. Paul waited for the LORD, and the LORD provided strength, protection and guidance as He promised through Isaiah.

Deep and abiding peace and joy cannot be snatched. Everything this world offers, including those peaceful moments sitting by a mountain lake, are at best temporary glimpses of true peace and joy. True peace and joy only come by deeply trusting the LORD (see Blind Faith?^<2>) A hymn written in 1922 puts it this way:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
look full in his wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of his glory and grace.

Words and music by Helen H. Lemmel, 1922

I am the same as you. I often lose sight of this goal. I need to be refreshed frequently. My wife and I do daily Bible readings and devotionals each morning, which help keep our minds focused on God's loving care and power. What do you think? What to you do to maintain your walk with Christ? Consider sharing your thoughts in the comment pages.