“Be still and know that I am God”

The ladies from our church went on a woman’s retreat to a beautiful place on the lake. It was so nice just to get away. We were studing the famous quote from the Bible “Be still, and know that I am God.”  Here are the notes I took on this Bible study.

When we confront, it means to assign limits to. What is my greatest fear? Have I assigned limits to it?

Daniel 3:16 & 17 - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

Be still ! And know that I am Elohim (God, the Triune God)

Intimate knowledge of God leads to stillness in the Lord. We have the personal relationship, unlike the world. Read Song of Soloman, it speaks of Jesus love for his bride (the church). He bought me with his blood and He is jealous for me.

Who He is…what He said….what He’s done, is all wrapped up in Psalm 46

Romans 1:19,20 - For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

and

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Memory that glorifies God always takes the faithful works of God that he has done for us in the past and connects them with the present situation in which we find ourselves.

Nostalgia - never does….it just temps us to stay in the past and long for that from which God has moved us on - living in the past. BUT - that is not why God gave us our memories. They are to remember what God has done for us.

What is God’s purpose for me here? Learn to be content where God has put you (read Mark 9) and remember where God has been faithful in my life in the past.

Read from the Book of Virtues ‘The Magic Thread’

Fear is the greatest disruptor to our stillness. How do we maintain stillness in our world today? Read Psalm 131.

Humble Heart - understanding who God is and accepting who we are. What the heart desires the eyes will look for. Be content. Read ‘The Rare Jewel of Christain Contentmant’ by Jeramiah Burrows. Quieting ourselves is not easy (the whole inside of us) Use God’s word, speaking it to ourselves and remembering it. (read Psalm 42:5,6 and Psalm 62:1,5- Contentment is a learned attribute. It is not natural. So, if contentment is learned then stillness must also be learned and they both require that we know God first. Dig into the word!  The further away we get from God and His word the harder our circumstances become (read Psalm 46:10) Gods purpose for us when circumstances get like that is for Him to show himself to us. God is our refuge and strength abundantly available in tight places.

What stillness is NOT…a mindless attitude of letting go and letting God, and…doing nothing! We are supposed to be busy and active in the word and our lives. Use God’s word to shut the door to anxiety and worry. No matter how great the turmoil around me, God will make Himself known to me, therefore, do not fear. Confess our fears to God and ask Him to reveal Himself. Being “still” is active in the word. To do things with a purpose. (read Hebrews 4:11)

Whatever you call your time alone with the Lord…it should not be a Bible study to analize, to find scripture for your husband to follow, it is a time to adore God, looking to “know God”, to worship, a time devoted to God. God’s word and prayer are inseparatable. They are the offensive weapons against the enemy. Being in Gods word keeps us from being tasteless in our prayers. (read Psalm 19) Take your eyes off of your circumstances and put them back on God.

Daniel 6

Daneil has served 4 kings. Prayer should be our refudge, perspective and strategy. Daniel was always straightforward and honest. He faced Jerusalem because it reminded him of Gods promises. How much of the Bible did Daniel have? Possibly nothing, only what he had memorized in his mind. Where is my refuge place? God’s word. We should begin our prayers with thanksgiving.

Prayer - when we pray we are preparing strategically in advance for battle with the enemy.

Everyone know how important prayer was to Daniel. It was only a 30 day ban on prayer, yet Daniel still prayed.