Remaining still in a busy world while juggling many things alone is challenging. Most of us find it hard to still our minds, hearts, and even our physical bodies. When you are not still, as a believer, it can feel like you’re trying to play God, meaning you want to control everything in your life and others’. However, this is impossible for anyone except God.
What does it generally mean to be still before we delve into its biblical context? To be still means to cease movement or agitation, to restrain or quiet something, such as calming a raging sea or silencing noise. It also refers to calming tumult, agitation, or excitement, like soothing passions. Additionally, ‘still’ can describe silence, indicating no sound, or quietness, reflecting calm and tranquillity, such as a peaceful evening. It can also mean remaining motionless, whether standing still, sitting or lying quietly.
What does it mean to be still in a biblical context?
To be still, in the biblical sense, means to stop, be silent, stand, and stay. To be still signifies stopping in the sense of being inactive in any way, becoming motionless, restraining, and desisting from your war, as well as taking no action.
Isaiah 42:14 (NKJV)
“I have held My peace a long time, I have been still and restrained Myself. Now I will cry like a woman in labour, I will pant and gasp at once.
Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV) 11 A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.
Being still means remaining silent, which entails being completely quiet and voiceless.
Psalms 4:4 (NKJV) Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed and be still. Selah
In the biblical sense, to be still means to stand or stay in a state of being still, to remain stiff, to remain in one spot or position, to endure, to be fixed, to wait, to be firm, to be steadfast, and to sit.
Revelation 22:11 (NKJV) 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
The phrase “hold your peace” is a synonym for “be still” in a biblical context.
To be still, in simple terms, means to refrain from reacting, take things easy, stay attentive, remain focused, trust in Him, depend on Him, and be calm without worry.
What happens when you are still?
The blessings of being still are that you will see God in action, and your heart and mind will be settled.
- When you are still, you are obeying God’s command or instruction.
Psalms 46:10 (NKJV) 10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
- When you remain still, God reveals who He is — His characteristics and capabilities of who He is and what He can do.
Psalms 46:10 (NKJV) 10 Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
- When you remain still, you give God the space to take control of your situation.
Psalms 83:1 Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God!
- When you stay still, the Lord will battle for you, assisting you in overcoming your circumstances. You will see God’s intervention and protection firsthand.
2 Chronicles 20:17 (NKJV) 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.”
Exodus 14:13–14 (NKJV) 13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
- When you are still, you will see the Lord’s salvation.
Stand still, and see the salvation Ex 14:13
Stand still and see the salvation 2 Chr 20:17
- When you remain still, you hear from God.
1 Kings 19:11–12 (NKJV) 11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
- When you remain still (meaning waiting upon the Lord), He will renew your strength.
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) 31 But those who wait on the LORD. Shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
- When you are still, you will see the wonders of God.
Job 37:14 Listen to this, O Job; stand still and consider the wonders of God.
Psalms 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
- When you are still, you will look unto God and be moved by faith, not fear. You speak faith, which does not fear.
Numbers 13:30. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
- When you are still, you will remain calm, cool, and collected in situations. You will not be easily moved.
Nehemiah 8:11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.”
Summary
Remaining still signifies faith, confidence, trust, and hope in God. When you are still — by stopping, being silent, and staying in God’s presence — you will witness His power at work, and His peace will calm your heart and mind as His provision meets every need.
When you are still, three things happen: God shows up for you, God stands up for you, and God speaks up for you. As a result, you will see clearly and feel settled — in a state of calm, rest, and peace — as God gets involved and intervenes on your behalf.
Jeremiah 47:6 “O you sword of the Lord, how long until you are quiet? Put yourself up into your scabbard, Rest and be still!
Zechariah 1:11 (NKJV) 11 So they answered the Angel of the LORD, who stood among the myrtle trees and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.
Follow His command by being still — whether by stopping, remaining silent, or standing firm — and when you obey, you will experience the following:
- God will take charge of the situation(s).
Psalms 89:9 (NKJV) You rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.
2. God will control the situation(s).
Mark 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
3. God will conquer the situation(s).
2 Chronicles 20:17 (NKJV) 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.”
Exodus 14:13–14 (NKJV) 13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
4. God will calm the situation(s)
Psalms 107:29 (NKJV) 29 He calms the storm, So that its waves are still.
Psalms 76:8 (NKJV) You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still,
Psalms 65:7 (NKJV) 7 You who still the noise of the seas, The noise of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples.
Isaiah 26:3–4 (NKJV) 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.
Therefore, be still and trust that God is in control. Allow Him to guide you through the situation while your heart and mind remain calm. In due time, God will either change you or the situation.
Contributor by Wisdom Grace
