There is a time to act, and a time to be still. I suggest that action should only come forth after being still.
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Being still implies that you are submitting to Our Heavenly Father’s words during your time of prayer. This is the time of communion. You must quiet your soul and “Be still”. You must remove all the distraction that prevents your focus from being directed to HIM. This is what a prayer closet is all about- removal of distractions. The world has plenty of distractions to keep you focused on about anything else but HIM. Your ego will accommodate any distraction that will empower it to continue its control over you on a daily basis.
This Scripture tells us specifically that HE is with us. The time frame is now. It does not use the words “was” or “will be”, but uses the present tense. If you want to hear HIM daily, I suggest spending time with HIM daily. I find the beginning of the day to be ideal, before the world has had an opportunity to obtain my focus. If you ask HIM to wake you up early for this time, be assured… HE WILL. For some, it may be the end of the day.
How will HE be exalted among the nations and in the earth? I believe HIS Remnant is being prepared for that task. We are to be HIS expressions on earth just as Jesus was HIS earthly expression 2,000 years ago. We have been prophesying this Scripture by way of the Lord’s Prayer ever since Jesus gave us the directive. Our Heavenly Father has given the inhabitants of the earth ample opportunity to respond. His Righteousness dictated the timing and adequate opportunity to respond.
When we are still, we are acknowledging “the fear of THE LORD”. We are giving HIM reverence and exalting HIM above ourselves by submitting to HIS wisdom and counsel. What greater respect than to listen and respond with action accordingly! As we quiet our souls, we set our ears to hear. HE then responds by giving us wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. As we apply ourselves, our skill develops. We become mature sons.
Another aspect of this command, is that our own personal challenges and roadblocks are dealt with by HIM. HE provides us the way to resolution of the issues that plague us. HE is the One who opens the doors to the solutions needed to meet our needs. As we honor HIM and reverence HIM, we establish the father/child relationship whereby we give HIM authority in our lives to intervene. Love demands this choice to be available: to do things on our own, or to have Our Heavenly Father intervene. I prefer HIS intervention. The parable of the prodigal son brings this reality into focus.
Luke 15:11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.
What is prodigal living? It is: lacking moral restraint; indulging in sensual pleasures or vices, recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources.
Gee, that is describing the path of the U.S. who uses 20% of the world’s energy with just 5% of the population. In the Beatitudes, Jesus said that those who live in moderation were blessed. The prodigal son had to experience the “endgame” to finally come to his senses. I suspect that is going to happen in the U.S. as well. Back to the point of the parable:
Our Heavenly Father gave the son what he asked for. This is a reference to Ezekiel 14:3-4:
3 “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?
4 “Therefore speak to them, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols,”
This is critically important. If you have any idols in your heart, you are subject to this same result. What is an idol? It is anything you desire that moves your focus away from your relationship with Our Heavenly Father. An idol starts with “desire” which quickly moves to “demand”. It then moves to “sacrifice” and finally results in “death and destruction”. An idol will rule our heart if given the opportunity. This is why it is so important to “Be still” and listen to Our Heavenly Father for HE will minister life to you and point out idols that need removal. Notice that in Ezekiel 14:4, we are told that there were a multitude of idols. The prodigal son had to come to the end of himself. When that happened, he turned back toward the Father. When we finally realize what we do on our own isn’t working, we will do the same, hopefully. When it does finally happen, be prepared to have a serious, corrective interview with HIM. It will be house-cleaning time. As these idols are removed, your heart is cleansed and becomes purified. As this occurs, you are able to hear HIS Voice better and respond in a more sensitive fashion thus you become a mature son or daughter. Consider this, it all starts with “Being still”.