Who Knew?

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.

still: noun 1. deep silence and calm; stillness
synonyms: quietness, quiet, quietude, silence, stillness, hush; calm, peace, serenity; placid, tranquil, pacific, unruffled

know: verb
1a. be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information.
synonyms: be aware, realize, be conscious; notice, perceive, see, sense, recognize;  be clued in, savvy

1b. have knowledge or information concerning.
synonyms: have knowledge of, be informed of, be apprised of; More

1c. be absolutely certain or sure about something.

2a. have developed a relationship with (someone) through meeting and spending time with them; be familiar or friendly with.
synonyms: be acquainted with, have met, be familiar with; be friends with, be friendly with, be on good terms with, be close to, be intimate with

2b. have a good command of (a subject or language).
synonyms: be familiar with, be conversant with, be acquainted with, have knowledge of, be versed in, have mastered, have a grasp of, understand, comprehend;

2c. recognize (someone or something).

2d. be familiar or acquainted with (something).

2e. have personal experience of (an emotion or situation).
synonyms: experience, go through, live through, undergo, taste

2f. regard or perceive as having a specified characteristic.

2g. give (someone or something) a particular name or title.

2h. be able to distinguish one person or thing from (another).
synonyms: distinguish, tell (apart), differentiate, discriminate;

There are so many ways to "know" God, and there are so very many aspects of God to know. It takes a lifetime of circumstances to experience a measure of who God is and what He has for us. And very little of it can be gained while we run around looking for a way in, or a way out of what life is bringing us; we have to still ourselves in order to hear and observe and gather information and become aware of what is outside of ourselves, or perhaps, what is deep within us.

"In silence, become aware through observation who God is in the life of someone you love." Look past the activity and behavior and, in silence, see how God expresses Himself through that one whom you have become so familiar with. Sometimes we remember so much that we see very little.

"In serenity, be absolutely certain of the touch of God in your life." As you recall the times and occasions when God has been present for you in power, in strength, in grace, in chastisement, in the sweetness of His love, let the soothing, calming peace and reassurance of those times call forth the tranquility and serenity that gives the confidence to stand in the face of whatever is happening.

"In hushed reverence, be intimate with the loving Savior." Do not fear the closeness of God, let Him draw near in your heart. Release the things of the world and your old life, and with open hands and spread arms, welcome what God has for you.

Job 29:4 As I have been in days of my maturity, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house
Ephesians 1:17 For I always beseech the God of our Lord Jesus Christ--the Father most glorious--to give you a spirit of wisdom and penetration through an intimate knowledge of Him,
 
"In quietness, be appraised of God's plans for you." As you put aside the issues of the day and seek to discern the heart of God, turning the focus of your attention to what the Spirit has to give you, He will speak to you of His intentions for you, give you strength through renewed hope, fill your thoughts with a vision of His plans and His work for you.

1 Samuel 9:15 Now Jehovah had apprised Samuel one day before Saul came, saying,
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

"In calm acceptance, recognize the voice of the Shepherd." Be comforted with the flock in the presence of the good shepherd who leads you to green pastures and quiet waters, calling you to Him if you become separated from the flock, protecting you from attack, providing shelter when storms blow in, speaking comfort to your heart and peace to your mind.

John 10:5 They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don't recognize the voice of strangers."
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him.

"In peaceful assurance, regard Him in His holiness." Do not feel panic when you contemplate God in His majesty, but in reverential awe and respectful humility, realize the amazing miracle that such a One as Jehovah regards us with love and desires to have fellowship with us.

Isaiah 8:13  You are to regard only the LORD of Hosts as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be held in awe.
Psalm 28:5 Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.

"In stillness, comprehend the enormity of His love for you." As you might stand at a vantage point or an overlook that gives you a breath-taking perspective of some natural vista worked in rock by wind and water, so let the vastness of His all-encompassing love simultaneously let you understand your individual insignificance before God, and also your incredible personal worth and value in His eyes.

Ephesians 3:18  And may you be strengthened to comprehend, as all the saints should, what is the breadth and length and height and depth of His love for you,

"In tranquility, be acquainted with the inner thoughts of God that the Spirit shares." As the Spirit makes the Word of God become life to your heart, speaking of the Father and of the Son, leading us into all truth, the fears, doubts, anxieties, worries, troubles, concerns, uncertainties dissipate like the night's darkness before the light of dawn, bringing confidence, assurance, boldness, certainty, strength, and power as we stand on God's word and act in obedience in Jesus' name.

1 Corinthians 2:11 For, among human beings, who knows a man's inner thoughts except the man's own spirit within him? In the same way, also, only God's Spirit is acquainted with God's inner thoughts.
John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness apprehended it not.
2 Timothy 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

"In unruffled trust, undergo His scrutiny." God is not distracted by the masks we wear. He knows our inward parts, and bases His judgments on our hearts, our intentions. Let that bring joy and gladness to your soul, as you turn your desires to Him, to seek Him out, to learn of Him, to walk in His ways, to know His will for your life. He will bring loving correction so we can bring honor to Him.

1 Corinthians 4:4  Though I am not conscious of having been in any way unfaithful, yet I do not for that reason stand acquitted; but He whose scrutiny I must undergo is the Lord.

"In unhurried contemplation, differentiate between the sacred and the common." Spend the time needed, as often as required, taking the time to learn of the Lord, to see as He sees, to recognize what He values and be aware of what He disdains. Let the Spirit of God train and shape and hone your perspective to see the value in the widow's mites, to hear the repentance in the publican's prayer, to recognize the gratitude in the prostitute's tears. Our choices and actions affect many who are watching us; let's act in wisdom and thus, as Jesus did on earth, teach many and bring glory and honor to the Father's name.

Leviticus 10:10 You are to differentiate between what's sacred and common and between what's unclean and clean.
1 Kings 3:9  So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to differentiate between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

Loving Father, thank You for leading us and directing us as we walk through each day, using each circumstance to teach us, train us, shape us, mature us, if we will only listen to the voice of Your Spirit as it quietly speaks life into our hearts.

4P15T19U