Psalm 46:10 KJV
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. –
• DAILY READING – John 18:1-18; 2 Chronicles 26; Psalm 83
We need stillness to hear the voice of God. When we can’t clearly see the way forward, or unsure of what next direction to take, it is such times we wait upon God to hear His next instruction.
In 1967, Kenneth Copeland was a Bible school student and quite unsure of what direction his life would take. He was fearful of taking any step forward. One day in March 1967, Kenneth knew the Lord was trying to tell him something, but he didn’t know what. He came home from school that afternoon, and decided to go down to the quiet area of the Arkansas River bed, just about a mile from his house, to pray and listen. It was there, standing in the dried-up Arkansas River bed, that Kenneth received God’s call to ministry. There, as he stood before The Lord, he heard within him, the voice of God, calling him to preach the gospel to the nations. Afterwards Kenneth meditated on what God told him in that riverbed for months. When summer came, all the fear he felt was replaced with faith, and Kenneth was ready to accept the calling.
Standing before the Lord, Kenneth declared he would preach the Gospel from the top of the world to the bottom, and then preach it all the way around the middle, and he would never compromise.
Kenneth had no money, and there were no meetings scheduled, but he was quite convinced he had clearly heard God. So he began to spiritually prepare to preach to the “nations”. And as he began to step out by faith God began to open doors. Calls for him and his wife to minister in various places started coming in. And ever since Kenneth and Gloria Copeland have been preaching the Gospel, from the top of the world to the bottom and all the way around. And Up till today they continue to preach the uncompromised Word to the nations.
Indeed we need the voice of God to show us the way forward. Those times when we are at crossroads or filled with confusion not knowing what exactly God wants us to do, these are the times we get still and wait upon God to hear His voice of divine direction. Often times in the midst of life’s challenges or battles, the Spirit of God says to us ‘ Be still and know that I am God’
Why should we be still? Because the battle is not ours but the Lords. God is able to handle every situation we face, when we trust in Him.
Imagine how the children of Israel must have felt as they stood at the edge of the red sea! In front of them was the huge ocean, with waves rising and crashing, tempestuous winds roaring. Then behind them was Pharaoh’s army furiously edging in. Yet, in the midst of this desperate situation, Moses stands up and says to them ‘stand ye still and see the salvation of The Lord.
In such a tight situation, caught between the rock and the hard place, the supernatural power of God showed up. God parted the red sea and made a way for the Israelites. Indeed where there seems to be no way, God is able to make a way. This is why in the face of confusions or challenges we need to be still and wait for God to show up. We need His voice to direct us and His power to break through for us. Where it seems everything has tightened up, and all doors closed, you need God’s power to cause an earthquake and break the prison doors. Therefore no matter what situation we are faced with, we need to learn to maintain stillness in our inner man, because it will take stillness to encounter God. It will take stillness in prayer to hear the voice of The Spirit that shows us the way out. Indeed it is only when we are still, that we can experience His power and truly know that He is God.
PRAYER: Lord, please give the strength to be still in every storm, and the wisdom to discern your voice when you are trying to guide me in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
God will never allow the flames of trial to burn you more than is necessary. – WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS