Psalm 46-47

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10, NKJV)

Today’s devotional comes from “Streams in the Desert.” It is written by Hannah Whitall Smith.

“Inner stillness is an absolute necessity to truly knowing God. I remember learning this during a a time of great crisis in my life. My entire being seemed to throb with anxiety, and the sense of need for immediate and powerful action was overwhelming. Yet the circumstances were such that I could do nothing, and the person who could have helped would not move.

For a time it seemed as if I would fall to pieces due to my inner turmoil. Then suddenly ‘a still small voice’ (1 Kings 19:12) whispered in the depths of my soul, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ The words were spoken with power and I obeyed. I composed myself, bringing my body to complete stillness, and forced my troubled spirit into quietness. Only then, while looking up and waiting, did I know that it was God who had spoken. He was in the midst of my crisis and my helplessness, and I rested in Him.

This was an experience I would not have missed for anything. I would also say it was from the stillness that the power seemed to arise to deal with the crisis, and that very quickly brought it to a successful resolution. It was during this crisis I effectively learned that my ‘strength is to sit still.’”

--Hannah Whitall Smith

When we can do nothing else, we can sit still at God’s feet, knowing that He loves us and that He really is working all things together for our good and His glory. In time He will whisper to our spirit, ‘This is the way, walk in it’ (Isaiah 30:21). Therefore, wait in confidence, dear friend. He is God Almighty, and He will be glorified even in your weakness, brokenness or shame.