Be Still and Know that He Is God

Mark 14:1; John 12:1; Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 2:11, 17

I recall a time when I was in my early teens working on a farm, and one requirement was to finish bringing in the crop before the forecast rain came. All of us workers began at 6 a.m. and we didn’t stop, other than for a lunch break and a couple of snack breaks, until 10 p.m. I was totally exhausted by the end of such a long day. I was so tired that when I did go to sleep all I could hear, even while sleeping, was the sound of a tractor. All night I heard the putt-putt-putt of that engine. I was, if there is such a thing, too tired to rest.

Wednesday was the fourth day of Passion Week and is sometimes called “Silent Wednesday.” The Bible doesn’t say what the Lord did on that day. Some Bible scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of the Passover. Some say this is the day when a woman anointed Jesus with an expensive perfume, as described in Matthew 26:6–13, Mark 14:3–9, and John 12:1–11. This day is traditionally thought of as the day Judas conspired with some local authorities to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16).

While we may not know absolutely what Jesus did on this day, it’s fascinating to consider that Jesus spent His final quiet day with those dearest to Him. It was a day to rest, reflect, and also anticipate. Those are great things for us to do regularly as well. And today is a great day to take some rest and reflection time as we prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday. As I learned so well as a young man, you can become too exhausted to produce or appreciate. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Why not set aside time today for some extra minutes in your Bible, in prayer, and in meditation. Catch up with some good friends who will encourage you and whom you can encourage in the Lord. Attend Wednesday-evening Bible study and prayer service. Purpose that you will take time today to remove the distractions, adjust your busy calendar to allow a time of silence and solitude with God, and rejoice in the fact that we worship a risen Savior!

“Dear God, Thank You for rest and solitude with You. Thank You for moments of refreshment from having spent time in Your Word, time in prayer before You, time in personal praise of You. Thank You for the reminder that You are able to do anything but fail. Give me sweet fellowship with You today. May I allow time to just enjoy Your presence today. Thank You, Lord Jesus. In Your name I pray, Amen.”

— by Pastor Greg Joyner