WAITING IN STILLNESS
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
Psalm 62:1 (ESV)
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..."
Isaiah 30:15b (NIV)
In Superman comic books, Superman often visited a place called the Fortress of Solitude, or The Secret Citadel. The fortress was Superman's hideaway—a haven of refuge. Initially located in outer space, then in the center of the Earth, until finally it was established on the side of a cliff in the Arctic. It was in the fortress that Superman rested after all his adventures saving the world. There, he contemplated new ways to defeat the enemy. He found encouragement for future battles by recalling past victories, and he battled his chess-playing robot to develop focus, strength, wisdom and endurance. Superman even went to the Fortress of Solitude to reconnect with his father!
We're all involved in some great things. Being active, productive, and even busy can be good, but the world, our schedules and the demands of others constantly clamor for our attention. Stop for a moment, be quiet and listen to all the noise. Yikes! Even the Man of Steel needed to get away sometimes. Scripture gives us the same pattern: rest, withdraw and unplug from the matrix of our lives.
God gave the Sabbath as a gift—a rhythm that helps us refuel, refocus and remember that our lives are held together by Him (Exodus 20:8-11). Even in movement and battle, the Lord went ahead of His people to find them a place of rest (Numbers 10:33-34). As we learn to dwell in His presence, we discover that He is our refuge and resting place (Psalm 91:1-2). Ecclesiastes warns of the emptiness of a restless life, while Jesus offers something different: rest not merely as a pause, but as a way of life for the weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28-30). The psalmist models this by bringing his requests to God each morning (Psalm 5:3), and Jesus Himself withdrew to solitary places to be with the Father (Mark 1:35). Waiting in stillness means intentionally returning to God, quieting our hearts and allowing His presence to restore what life has depleted within us.
APPLICATION: Intentionally create space for another time of stillness and quiet today. It won't happen on its own. Set a time. Find a place. And sit quietly before the Lord.
PRAYER: Lord, I have a hard time being still. My thoughts get going, and I find it hard to just be quiet with You. I pray You would slow my mind, stop the restless thoughts and help me wait in stillness with You. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?