Be Still and Know God

One interaction in the Bible I love is what Naomi said to her daughter-in-law Ruth who had just proposed marriage to Boaz.  Ruth 3:17-18 reads, "Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day."  Ruth was the antithesis of a sedentary person, one who would work all day in the field to gather food her mother-in-law and herself.  She was industrious and had an impressive work ethic.  Sitting still required her to stop pacing, exerting nervous energy or bustling around the house.  There was no need for her to prepare to leave because the matter had not been settled yet, nor would her toil advance her desire to be married.  In that moment she was wise to heed the words of Naomi, having committed the matter and her future into the hands of the LORD and her future husband.

Naomi knew the quality of character possessed by Boaz and she knew he would not forget nor neglect the task set before him.  There was a potential kinsman redeemer who was a closer relative than he, yet he did not throw up his hands or procrastinate.  At the breaking of the day he went and assembled the other relative and required witnesses, and as Naomi predicted the matter was concluded that day.  Much profitable progress was made in short order even when Ruth sat still.  Whilst the biblical account does not explicitly say Ruth sat still at Naomi's request, it would be entirely consistent with her character as revealed throughout the narrative she was obedient.

There is a difference between sitting still and being still.  Psalm 46:10 brings a sudden shift of perspective to the song as God spoke in first person:  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"  Sitting still describes a physical posture and being still goes much further and includes the mind, heart and soul.  One focuses on doing something and the other is state of being, choosing rest by faith and reliance upon God to accomplish all He has promised to do.  The only way a person can truly be still and at peace with God is by finding the rest only Jesus Christ can provide by faith in Him.  We can cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us, and we need not worry, be afraid or troubled.  There is nothing we can do to earn forgiveness and salvation from God, for He has already concluded the matter by providing salvation by grace through faith in Jesus.  Our union with our Redeemer and Saviour is according to His promise, and our knowledge of Him is a partial fulfillment of what He intended to do when Psalm 46 was penned by the sons of Korah.

Let us hear and obey the word of the LORD to us today:  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"  Faith demonstrated by obedience is an intentional action and in no way is it lazy or careless.  We are still knowing God is God, and we are not.  He will do all He has promised and we can rejoice with assurance of salvation, righteousness and redemption through Jesus Christ.