Finding Stillness and Strength in God's Presence

Thank you to everyone for your generosity and willingness to serve, not just within our own community but also in blessing others in the city. This reflects the heart of God’s kingdom—a heart that looks beyond itself and seeks to be a blessing where there is nothing to gain. As we continue our “To Be” series, we focus today on Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” This verse, like many others, has two parts: a call to a certain posture (“be still”) and the reason or power behind it (“know that I am God”).

Life is full of moments that tempt us to panic, to “flap” like a trapped bird, or to spin out of control when things don’t go as planned. Whether it’s the chaos of daily routines, unexpected bills, or the pressures of life, our natural response is often to try harder, move faster, and expend more energy—yet we find ourselves getting nowhere. God’s invitation is to stillness, to quiet the noise, and to find strength not in frantic activity but in resting in Him.

Isaiah 30:15 reminds us that “in quietness and confidence is your strength,” but also warns that we often resist this way. The world is noisy, and so are our hearts. There are three main sources of this noise: fear for our welfare, the accusations of the enemy, and our own resistance to God. Jesus addresses our fears by reminding us of our value to God and His intimate knowledge of us. The enemy’s accusations are silenced by the truth that we are hidden in Christ, free from condemnation. But perhaps most profoundly, the greatest noise comes from our own unwillingness to surrender—our arguments, our resistance, our need for control.

Psalm 46 paints a picture of God as our refuge and fortress amid chaos. The call to “be still” is not just comfort for the weary, but a rebuke to the restless—a command to lay down our arms, to stop fighting God, and to surrender. Like a child resisting a doctor’s care or a swimmer fighting a rip current, we are invited to trust, to let go, and to allow God to be God. The story of Job reminds us that the answer to our deepest questions is not always “why,” but “who.” When we see God for who He is, we find peace even without all the answers. In surrender, the noise ceases, and we discover the stillness and strength that come from knowing Him.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True stillness is not simply the absence of activity, but the presence of trust. When life’s chaos tempts us to panic or strive, God calls us to a posture of quiet confidence, rooted in the knowledge of who He is. This stillness is an act of faith, a deliberate choice to rest in God’s sovereignty rather than our own efforts. [56:32]
• 2. The fear for our welfare—whether financial, physical, or emotional—can be overwhelming, but Jesus reminds us that we are deeply known and valued by God. When we fear God above all else, the lesser fears lose their grip, and we are freed to live courageously, knowing that nothing escapes His care or attention. [60:06]
• 3. The accusations of the enemy are persistent, seeking to drown us in guilt, shame, and comparison. Yet, the truth of the gospel is that we are hidden in Christ, and there is no condemnation for those who belong to Him. Living in this reality means tuning out the voice of accusation and standing firm in the freedom Christ has won for us. [64:11]
• 4. Surrender is the heart of “being still.” It is not passive resignation, but an active laying down of our arguments, our resistance, and our need for control. Like Job, we may not receive all the answers we seek, but encountering God Himself is enough to quiet our souls and bring true peace. [72:57]
• 5. The presence of God is our fortress amid the storms of life. No matter how violent the chaos outside, there is a place of warmth, safety, and order in Him. We are invited to run to this refuge, to dwell in His presence, and to let His voice still every storm within us. [68:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Gratitude for Generosity and Service
• [03:10] - The “To Be” Series: Two-Part Scriptures
• [06:00] - Family Stories: Panic and “Stop Flapping”
• [10:30] - The Noise of Life and the Call to Stillness
• [13:50] - Isaiah 30:15 and the Choice of Stillness
• [16:20] - God’s Power in the Midst of Chaos
• [19:00] - Three Sources of Noise: Fear, Accusation, Resistance
• [21:00] - Fear for Our Welfare and Jesus’ Assurance
• [25:00] - The Accuser and Our Identity in Christ
• [29:00] - Psalm 46: God as Refuge and Fortress
• [33:00] - The Deeper Call: Surrender and “Be Still”
• [37:00] - Job’s Story: Encountering God in Suffering
• [41:00] - Ministry Time: Hearing God’s Voice
• [45:00] - Prayer and Closing

Bible Reading

Psalm 46:1–11 (ESV) — > 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
> 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
> 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
> 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
> 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
> 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
> 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
> 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
> 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
> 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
> 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Isaiah 30:15 (ESV) — > For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling.

Matthew 10:28–31 (ESV) — > 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
> 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
> 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
> 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 46, what images are used to describe the chaos and trouble happening around God’s people? What is God called in the midst of this chaos?
2. According to Isaiah 30:15, what does God say is the source of our strength, and what is the warning given?
3. In Matthew 10, what does Jesus say about our value to God, and how many times does He address fear in this passage?
4. In the sermon, what are the three main sources of “noise” that keep us from stillness?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God commands us to “be still” in the middle of chaos, rather than telling us to take action or fix things ourselves?
2. The sermon says that “be still” is not just comfort for the weary, but a rebuke to the restless. What does this mean, and how does it challenge our usual way of handling stress or fear?
3. How does knowing that God knows every hair on your head (Matthew 10:30) change the way you view your worries and fears?
4. The story of Job was used to show that sometimes God doesn’t answer our “why” questions, but instead shows us “who” He is. Why is this significant for finding peace in difficult times?

Application Questions

1. The sermon described how we often “flap” like a trapped bird or panic when things go wrong. Can you think of a recent situation where you reacted this way? What would it have looked like to “be still” instead?
2. One of the main sources of noise is fear for our welfare—financial, physical, or emotional. What is one specific fear that tends to make you anxious or restless? How might remembering your value to God help you respond differently?
3. The enemy’s accusations can fill our minds with guilt, shame, or comparison. Is there a particular accusation or negative thought that you struggle to silence? What would it look like to “stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for you” this week?
4. The sermon said that the greatest noise often comes from our own resistance to God—our arguments, our need for control. Are there areas in your life where you are resisting God’s leading or holding on to control? What would surrender look like in that area?
5. The image of God as a fortress or a lighthouse keeper in the storm was used to describe the safety and peace found in His presence. When life feels chaotic, what practical steps can you take to “run to this refuge” and experience God’s stillness?
6. The story of Job shows that peace comes not from having all the answers, but from encountering God Himself. Is there a question or situation in your life where you are waiting for answers? How can you shift your focus from “why” to “who” this week?
7. Isaiah 30:15 warns that we often resist the way of quietness and trust. What are some habits or patterns in your life that make it hard to be still before God? What is one small change you could make this week to practice stillness and trust?