Most of us have been blessed with what we consider a close friend or two, those individuals who just seem to be in sync with the way you think and do things. Hopefully, if you are married, you have a deep friendship with your spouse. When someone knows you really well, you can share what is in your heart. You learn from those who are your closest friends. Accepting correction and suggestions about turning a different direction, are much easier to digest when you have a trusting relationship. Pr 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
I have a little sign in my sewing room that says, ‘I would rather be doing nothing with you than something with anyone else’. That’s how I feel about my Sweetheart! There’s a comfortableness and value in true friendships.
Besides my Better Half (he truly is!), I have the joy of a few friends I can be absolutely honest with. I learn so much from them and they are quick to hold me accountable to Truth. I am taught to think in terms other than my own, and to look at things with a different perspective. I have been encouraged to be gentler when needed and to stand strong in the Truth when necessary. Most of all, I am confident that these friends are with me even in the thick of things. In the best of times and in the most challenging, I can count on them. They are incredibly important to me, treasured. Consider those who are closest in your life, your ‘best’ friends, as we move forward in this study.
We find several stories of friendship in God’s word. There’s the relationship between Jonathan and David – the Bible says, “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David” – in 1 Samuel 18:1. This special relationship is described further for us in 1 Sa 20:41, 2 Sa 1:26, and 2 Sa 15:37. A friendship between Hiram, king of Tyre, and David is mentioned in 1 Kings 5:1. Paul and Titus were friends and when Paul was unable to find Titus, he became distressed (2 Cor 2:13). Paul describes Epaphroditus as his brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier and minister to his need, in Philippians 2:25. Timothy speaks of the refreshment and acceptance he received from the house of Onesiphorus (2 Tim 1:16). We could go on and on describing these special relationships found throughout the Bible. Consider Ruth and Naiomi (Ruth 1:16) and the ‘Mary’s’ (Matthew 27-28).
There’s a story of a friendship in the Bible that gives us a strong picture of faith and trust in God. Elijah and Elisha. In 2 Kings Chapter 2, Elijah was about to be taken up to heaven and Elisha was with him.
We have to pause right here and understand the significance of what is happening. The taking up of Elijah is usually what we concentrate on in this story because it’s an incredible miracle in itself. But consider what else is about to happen: the loss of a friendship, a close friendship. Elijah would be leaving. Elijah was Elisha’s teacher, that person who probably knew him best. There was probably joy in Elisha’s heart for his friend, knowing what would soon take place. But, think of the sadness that must be present also. Elisha knew that he would soon be without Elijah. Twice Elisha was questioned by others about what was to happen.
2Ki 2:3 Then the sons of the prophets who [were at] Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" And he said, "Yes, I know; be still."
2Ki 2:5 And the sons of the prophets who [were] at Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" And he answered, "Yes, I know; be still."
Let’s pay close attention to the response in both sections of scripture above. Be still. Consider. Elisha’s mentor, his best friend, his confidant, is about to leave forever. Humanly speaking, this is heart wrenching. Yet, we see the trust that is displayed in Elisha’s response to others who are unsettled. Imagine the thoughts of those around them. ‘Do something’! ‘How can you be okay with what is going to happen’? ‘Do you understand what is going to occur’? Elisha did fully understand. He also had complete faith in God and trusted in His plans. Be still.
In the KJV, the words are translated, ‘hold your peace’. Chashah: to hush or keep quiet, hold peace, keep silence, be silent, be still.
This is not even just a ‘be still’ for a moment. It is keep still, ongoing, remembering continuously Who is in control, Who has the better plan – the perfect plan.
Ps 4:4 Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. The words ‘be still’ are translated from a different Hebrew word damam. However, the meaning is relatively the same: to be dumb as in astonished, speechless; to cease, to hold peace, to quiet self, to rest, be silent, tarry, wait, to be still.
We are to stand in awe of God. The previous scripture causes us to remember when David had been appointed king and was being persecuted. What was his response? He exhorted those who were against him to be fearful of God’s judgments and turn from their sin, to search their own heart and hold their peace – be still.
Ps 46:10 "Cease [striving] and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Cease striving, what a needed phrase! It means to slacken, to abate, cease, to be faint, be feeble, be idle, to leave, to let alone, be still, be slothful. Many of us need to learn how to be still!
There is painted for us in scripture a beautiful picture of giving up of ourselves, our concerns, our drive that something has to be done, and our attitude of fixing it, to the hands of God. Rest, be quiet, pray – He has it all under control. I can’t tell you how often I need to remember this as I’m trying to serve within my many human limitations of strength and understanding! This is definitely not giving up as in ‘I quit’, rather, it is giving up to the One who can do anything and will do everything in His time and His plan. This is absolutely not a license to be lazy and do nothing, we must remain available, desiring to serve, diligent in using our time well. But, we do need to recognize when we are the ones pushing for results, when we want to see something change or happen, that it may be a product of our own plan and time line instead of God’s.
Perhaps the oft heard reminder of ‘letting go’ and ‘letting God’ is a good one. But not in the sense that the world views this phrase. The Bible doesn’t tell us to let go and let God. We need to be discerning about what is truth and what just sounds good. The world has penned this phrase, not God. We are to be about doing, so just sitting back and letting things happen is not acceptable. Doing nothing, having no motivation, taking it easy, and watching the world around us is not our calling as God’s children. We are in the middle of a spiritual battle, and to do nothing would hardly be the purpose of a soldier. However, we do need to let go of the thought that we can accomplish anything in our strength or that by our independent striving, we will be able to defeat sin or defend God’s word. Without God’s spirit, we can do none of these things. We need to be diligent, we need to strive to serve with all the ability we’ve been given, but we also need to remember that God is the driver, it is His work in us and through us that we seek after. Let go – to the confidence you can have in Him, to the peace that results from that confidence, and the rest that comes from knowing He has a perfect plan. Look at the example we have in Timothy:
2Ti 1:8-9 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with [me] in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
Here, in the midst of suffering, we see peace from trusting in God’s purpose. Think of it as acquiescing to God’s plan and His power to bring things about perfectly. God doesn’t need us to acquiesce, but when we choose to follow His plan rather than fight it, we are a step closer to peace. We need to ‘let go’ and ‘not be anxious’ about everything we can’t figure out or fix. Be still.
Php 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As we learn to be still in God’s plan, Philippians 4:8 tells us distinctly what we can be about doing as we wait and trust in God.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
We are also encouraged by the promised result of following God’s truth as we look at the next verse in the same Chapter of Philippians.
Php 4:9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.
Peace: quietness, rest
Be still…Be still…Be still…Be still…be still…be still.
