Rediscovering Stillness

“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. … Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.” —Psalm 62:1-2, 5 NLT

Our culture has forgotten how to be still. Electricity means we no longer have the incentive to go to bed with the setting sun and wake up with its rising. Instead, we can push on through the evening, wearing out our bodies and our minds in the process. Social media has shortened our attention spans to the degree that many can no longer focus on reading a book. It requires too much concentration from a brain wired for change every 30 seconds or so. Activities are available in our towns and cities and churches every day and night of the week, tempting us to cram more and more into our already crowded lives.

It’s a problem. We’ve forgotten how to quiet ourselves and simply be still. Choosing to be in constant motion is not good for us—and it’s certainly not what God asks of us. In fact, in His Word, He calls us again and again to times of quiet. Since I’m naturally a busy sort of person, I’ve had to learn stillness, and I’ve rediscovered the healing power of slowing down and being more thoughtful and unhurried in God’s Presence. It is one of the most important gifts God has given me. I recommend it to you and have some practical suggestions taken from Psalm 62 that help you (and me) rediscover the benefits of stillness.

Stillness resets my thinking and puts God back in His rightful place as the King and controller of my life. In Psalm 62, David is surrounded by enemies. He feels all alone. “So many enemies against one man,” he mourns, “all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence (vs. 3).” So David does what is totally counterintuitive. He doesn’t run around wringing his hands and trying to fight on his own. Nope. He comes to a full stop and “waits quietly” before the Lord. He remembers that God alone brings victory. When I am still, my perspective returns, and I draw closer to the Lord.

Stillness enables me to remember who God is and that brings peace, gratitude, and a healing balm to my soul. As David sits quietly, he reminds himself that God alone is the rock. His rock. His fortress. His salvation (vs.6). Instead of the dread he had been feeling, confidence returns. He will not be shaken. He knows it! If I am never quiet with God, I forget what a wonderful, present Rescuer He really is. Stillness helps me know Him better and love Him more.

Stillness is a discipline. David has to work at sitting still and often, so do I. In verse 5, he lectures himself, declaring: “Let all that I am wait quietly for God, for my hope is in him.” It has taken time for me to learn how to make “all that I am” hush and be still! But with practice, it has not only become easier but has also become more and more desirable.

Sweet Selah Ministries encourages individuals to learn to love extended stillness with God. We call it a Selah Day. Here’s what we do and what we are challenging our readers to do in the next two weeks leading up to Easter Sunday.

Look at your calendar and set aside a few solid hours to simply be with God. If you are new to this, starting small with just an hour or two might be easiest. I like to set aside 5-6 hours, and then if I feel “done” before my time is up, I go back to my faster-paced life. But setting aside this longer time enables me to linger in His Presence if He has more to speak to me. So … write it down. Selah Day. Or partial-day. And if anyone else asks you to do something at that time? You’re busy. Find another time for them. You have a date with God!

Find a place where you can be alone. It might be your bedroom. Or a quiet café. Or your car as you sit looking at an ocean, a lake, or a park. Or a public library. Or borrowing a friend’s home when she’s out, so you don’t get caught up in wanting to clean your own.

Check out our Easter Selah Day guide (link below). If you want direction for your time, print it out and pack it up along with your Bible, a journal, and a couple of pens. Follow the prompts for reading and pondering that fit with the Easter season. Or choose a Bible reading and prayer time of your own.

Start with prayer. Offer up your stillness to God. Just sit in His Presence and let Him calm your soul. This often takes me half an hour or more. I’m a restless sort of person, and it takes an act of my will not to check my phone or get up and “do” something, but God helps me, and I hush my busy self and prepare to listen.

Read the Word and follow the guide or spend time in prayer as God leads you. If you fall asleep, trust that you needed a nap as part of your Selah Day. That’s okay. If you want to incorporate a walk in a beautiful place, go ahead.

If you want to try this, click here and follow the challenge. Or do a special one of your own. Let’s not allow the world and its frenetic ways the power over us to control our minutes and our days. Let’s stop and be with the One who tells us the greatest of all commandments is to love Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. And that surely means spending time with Him. Don’t you think?

Heavenly Father, help me to still my soul in the midst of troubles and the restlessness of this busy world. May I run to You, my fortress, my rock, my salvation, and “nestle in” during this Easter season. Speak, Lord, for Your servant truly wants to hear from You. I love that You love me. Help me to love You back with my gift of time and presence, being near and still with You. In Jesus’ Name and by His grace and help, Amen.

I wait quietly before God,
for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will never be shaken.

So many enemies against one man—
all of them trying to kill me.
To them I’m just a broken-down wall
or a tottering fence.
They plan to topple me from my high position.
They delight in telling lies about me.
They praise me to my face
but curse me in their hearts. Selah

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge. Selah
—Psalm 62:1-8 NLT 

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

 Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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