Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10, KJV

The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psalm 23:1-2, KJV

"Hush, be still." We've all seen it. Even if we don't remember, most of us have experienced it. It is the soothing voice of our mothers when we are babes and are so distraught that only a mama's voice can soothe us. Women of yesteryear used to find solace in their knitting, just sitting and working quietly with their hands. The hunter and fisherman alike know the benefit of being still and letting the quarry come to them. 

There is a healing in being still, but it is a virtue that is almost extinct in our modern age. With all of the cell phones, computers, televisions, and other electronic wonders, men rarely have a quiet moment during their waking hours. No wonder the stress levels are so great. No wonder that people go through their days just pining for some sort of beverage at the end of the day to give them an artificial calming for a few moments. No wonder that the doctor's offices are full of patients whose health has taken a hit from the constant noise and chaos and tension of the world around them.

But what can we do?

On the seventh day, God rested from His work. A better translation might be that He "ceased" from His labors on the seventh day. It was so important in Old Testament times that He set apart the Sabbath for men to rest. Since most men don't want to, He even made it one of the Ten Commandments for His chosen people during the Mosaic age. In our times, the Christian era, He has given us the first day of the week. It is a day set aside for worship and for remembrance. Though it is not commanded, it is also an excellent day of rest for those wise enough to take advantage of the opportunity.

In addition to these special days, we have the daily opportunity to just be still - and we need to take it! We desperately need those times beside the still waters that can refresh our very souls. We need to simply be still before God and let Him comfort and soothe whatever ails us. The world we live in is too stressful to not take advantage of these blessings - these soul-healing moments, and we need to take them. Otherwise... we will fall apart. All too many people are.

If you feel like your life is coming apart at the seams, why not take advantage of this great gift right now. It's really not all that difficult you know. All you have to do is be still.