UNTIL YOU’RE STILL Mark 10: 46-52
In Mark 10, Jesus is passing through Jericho when a blind man named Bartimaeus captures His attention. Verse 49 records, “And Jesus stood still...”
If there is a lost discipline in our spiritual lives today it is the art of being still.
However, has it ever dawned on you just how often the Lord has said, “be still?” Whether it was Elijah on a lonely mountainside of discouragement, or Israel at the dead end of the Red Sea, or Job in the trials of his life (Job 37:14), the saints of old found comfort and peaceful resolve in stillness before the Lord.
Stillness is essential for the survival of animals in the wild, and stillness is crucial for the success of soldiers on the battlefield. However, when the Lord says to you and me, “be still,” He is not speaking as much about our outward stability as He is our inward serenity.
Most of us would admit that the most difficult thing we are called upon to do is sit still! We'd much rather run in place than just take our hands off of a situation and allow the Lord to work on our behalf.
Yet this is what the Lord has instructed us to do in order than He might strengthen our hearts in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Isaiah 30:7 “For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.” Their strength is to sit still, in a humble dependence upon God and his goodness and a quiet submission to his will, and not to wander about and put themselves to great trouble to seek help from this and the other creature.
What does it mean to be sit still in the spiritual realm?
I. Stillness implies we must watch with expectation.
When Israel faced their hour of crisis at the Red Sea, Moses commanded the people in Exodus 14:13, “...stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you today...”
The word “still” in this verse pictures a sentry standing faithfully at his post or station with attentive eyes. A sentry is posted to see what others cannot see from ground level. Nearly every time the Lord said, “be still,” disaster appeared inevitable. However, it was in the stillness that miraculous perception was achieved.
When the Israelites could only see the Egyptian army and a Red Sea, Moses could see “Him who is invisible.”
Perhaps the reason life is so complicated for most of us is because in our constant state of busyness we have lost the conscious awareness of the Lord’s presence. True spiritual vision is not our eyes capturing people, places, or things, but rather it is our hearts being captivated with the Lord!
II. Stillness implies we must wait with endurance.
Job walked through a valley of unimaginable darkness that made it difficult to trace the hand of the Lord in his circumstances. However, his young friend Elihu wisely counseled him in Job 37:14, “O Job, stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.”
The word “still” in this verse has a Hebrew meaning of “to take a stand and remain.” I never understood as a child why we never ate desert first. But, I always knew if I could tough it through the other stuff, it would be worth it in the end!
After all that Job endured, the Bible summarizes his experience best in Job 42:12, “So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning...”
When the Lord commanded the priests carrying the ark to “stand still” in the Jordan river, it was their enduring obedience that kept the waters parted while Israel finally entered the promise land. When Jesus interrupted a funeral procession in Nain, those carrying the coffin “stood still” and witnessed the miracle of His resurrection power.
Stillness is simply the pause of man awaiting the power of God. Vance Havner once said, “He who waits on God loses no time.”
God’s power does not always manifest when we think, but it always does when it should!
III. Stillness implies we must withdraw from engagement.
Psalm 46:10 states, “Be still, and know that I am God...”
The word “still” in this verse means, “relax!, take your hands off!”
This was written at a troublesome time in Hezekiah’s life when he faced circumstances beyond his control. Not only had he received a blasphemous letter from a heathen king whose huge army threatened to destroy Jerusalem, but Isaiah delivered a word from God that he was to prepare to die.
Panic can cause a restless carelessness that entices us to action. When a mother is cradling a tired, restless baby, she says to her infant, “be still.” All she desires is for the baby to rest in her arms.
The one mistake we are all most prone to make is growing impatient with the Lord and trying to do His will our way. If only Abraham had stood still until Isaac was born. If he had, the middle east might never have known the perpetual conflict it does today.
If only Saul had stood still until Samuel returned from the Lord’s presence his kingdom would have been established forever.
David faced a life full of battles, burdens, and blessings, but have you ever wondered what enabled him to emerge from it all with a fresh song in his heart? Perhaps he gives the secret away in Psalm 23:2, “...He leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Conclusion
UNTIL YOU’RE STILL:
YOU WON’T KNOW HIS DIVINE PRESENCE
YOU WON’T KNOW HIS DIVINE PEACE
YOU WON’T KNOW HIS DIVINE POWER
Activity is no sure sign of progress. Jesus commended Mary because she sat quietly at his feet.
A young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher. Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me, preacher, why doesn't God answer?"
The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply, something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair.
"Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you."
With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "So we will move closer to hear him." This time the young man heard loud and clear.
You will not know Him UNTIL YOU’RE STILL