Comments on: Be Still? You’re Kidding, Right?

By: Todd

Todd — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:00:42 +0000

I think it is good to remember the story of Habakkuk.
Was not his prayer similar to the above?
Habakkuk expresses the attitude that many righteous people have. He is ourtraged at the violence and injustice in his society. He lists six different problems. His list is repetitious, but it emphasizes just how bad things were. There was sin, wickedness, destruction and violence, no justice in the courts, and the wicked outnumbered the righteous. Does this sound like our society?
In verse 4 he says, “the law is ignored.” God’s word was no longer the standard. It is now illegal to have the 10 commandments hang on the wall in a public school, so I think things are even worse in America.
Habakkuk is preaching against it, but he is having little effect. Habakkuk raises a good question. Why does evil go unpunished? Why do the wicked prosper? Why doesn’t God do something?
Look back to verse 2. Habakkuk has been praying. Evidently, he has been praying for a long time because he says, “How long, O Lord, will I call for help, And Thou wilt not hear?” He also thinks God is indifferent and inactive.
The interesting part is that God DID answer him! Granted it was not the answer he was looking for, in fact it did not happen in his lifetime!
So my question to any of us is are we prepared for the answer today?
Just as Job was willing to serve God regardless of his health, and Habakkuk was willing to serve God regardless of his surroundings.

By: Dave Lovestrand

Dave Lovestrand — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:18:49 +0000

It is interesting that the Good News Bible renders this as:
“Quit fighting and know that I am God.

By: Swap Blog » Blog Archive » Be Still

Swap Blog » Blog Archive » Be Still — Thu, 01 May 2008 02:05:17 +0000

[...] Stanley of Transforming Sermons has a great post / link up to a piece at Jesus the Radical Pastor Post here that is a great reminder that we all need to take some BE time with GOD. Swap This These icons [...]

By: Rob Grayson

Rob Grayson — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:49:00 +0000

Hey John,

Just wanted you to know that I stop by here often, and find that it is often a place of refreshment and reflection. You have the gift of touching deep truth with concise words.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Rob

By: John Frye

John Frye — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:48:18 +0000

Karen (#15),
What a beautiful experience and reflection on the stillness and quietness in God’s presence. I, too, marvel at the thousands of ways the Father can speak to us.
John

By: Graysons In France » Be still

Graysons In France » Be still — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:39:41 +0000

[...] clipped from http://www.jesustheradicalpastor.com [...]

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:49:33 +0000

I had to chuckle a little bit when I read this post today. Jessica and Matt and I are reading through the Bible using a special kids read the bible in 365 days book. Last night we read about Elijah, huddled in a cave and lamenting to God that he was the last prophet. God chooses not to speak to Elijah in a thunderstorm or earthquake. He speaks to Elijah in a whisper. Our daily reading was summed up with Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God. Jessica and I couldn’t help but recite the prayer we’ve said so many times in church.
Often we are lead to believe that God will just grab us and tell us what to do or that He will move in some prominent way. God is often varied in His work. He may be in that little girl that hands you a flower and excitedly says, “Jesus Loves You.” He may be in a whisper of a message that drifts through your thoughts like a gentle breeze. He may be in that stranger that gives you a smile, just when you need one. He may be in that person who wakes up out of a coma, unable to speak but able to gloriously sing hymns of praise. He may be in that little girl that tells her Mommy out of the blue that she wants to read the Bible every night!
Quiet time to reflect about God and pray to our Father helps us learn to listen to His gentle voice. He is more than a God. He is a friend, a confidant, a loving father, a savior. Have you had one-on-one time with your Father lately?

By: John

John — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:18:57 +0000

Ken (#12),
I like the picture you paint….and I hope you get that fish.
To be still is a genuine discipline in this age.
John

By: John

John — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:17:13 +0000

Preacherman,
Thanks for the good words, my brother and colleague in ministry.
John

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:49:53 +0000

I enjoy being still … and of being.

I can’t wait until the lakes are warmed up again and I can get out under the canopy of God’s great blue sky and gently rock on the waves while seated on my little single-seat inflatable pontoon boat. No computers, no TVs, no phones, no interuptions (unless I happen to catch a fish – a great bonus by the way). It seems I am able to set aside all of those pesky urgent things for a few hours and enjoy the important thing – sitting at the feet of the Lord and marveling at the wonder of the great things He has done. We really need to get back to the original meaning of recreation (re-creation). It’s not an activity where we wear ourselves out, it should be an activity whereby we can get our spiritual battries recharged.